The investigation of the effect of nano particles on dry sliding wear and corrosion behavior of Al-Mg/Al2O3 composites

Abstract

Abstract Aluminum matrix composites were extensively used as structural material as it possesses good surface properties such as wear and corrosion resistance. The practical importance of nano particles in composite materials has triggered widespread attention towards the enhancement of its properties. In this study, Al-Mg/Al2O3 (0–8 wt%) metal matrix nano composites fabricated by two step stir casting route was investigated to comprehend its wear and corrosion behaviour. The Pin-on-Disc dry sliding wear test was performed on Al-Mg/Al2O3 (0–8 wt%) by adopting Design of Experiments under the action of different contact loads and sliding distance following the ASTM G99 Standard. The experimental results conveyed that specific wear rate decreases with increase in sliding distance. Statistical analysis was performed by Taguchi’s Technique and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine the most dominating factor that influences specific wear rate for the optimum weight percentage of reinforcement. Analysis revealed adequacy with the constructed model in predicting the wear behavior of composite and unreinforced Al-Mg alloy. The corrosion behaviour of the base alloy and composites was analysed by static immersion and electrochemical assessments, by immersing prepared specimens in aqueous sodium chloride (3.5%) solution. The dependance of corrosion rate of the composites with the weight percentage of Al2O3, exposure duration and temperature of the corrosive medium was studied in detail. Corrosion test results exhibit that corrosion rate decreases with increase in weight percentage of Al2O3 particles and exposure duration, whereas it follows reverse trend with increase in corrosion medium temperature.