Fabrication and characterization of novel Al-SiC-hBN self-lubricating hybrid composites

Abstract

The unabated thirst for fuel-saving, cost-efficient, attractive structural and lubricating properties of the materials have made the researchers focus on the new generation of aluminum matrix composites for automotive and aerospace application. Aluminum-based composites with hBN particle reinforcement could improve the tribological properties which reduce the wear rate of the components. The present study focused on the fabrication of a novel self-lubricating Al-SiC-hBN hybrid composites and its wear properties with unreinforced aluminium alloy. Structural and microstructural changes of the as-cast composites were examined by X-Ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Microstructural analysis reveals that uniform distribution of the reinforcing phase results in an increase in the density of the as-cast sample from 2.547 g/cm(3) to 2.713 g/cm(3). The pin-on-disc method is used to study the resistance to friction of the as-cast composite (Al-5 wt.% hBN-4 wt.% SiC) and found that, hBN particulates helps to minimize the wear loss at ambient temperature.