TRIBOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AL6060/SI3N4/BN HYBRID ALUMINIUM METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Abstract

In recent years, aluminium-based composites have emerged as preferable substitutes for conventional aluminium alloys in various contemporary applications, like the aerospace and automotive industries. This shift can be attributed to their enhanced characteristics and superior properties. Improved strength-to-weight ratio, reduced thermal expansion, and superior wear resistance are just a few of the benefits. Several researchers have created aluminium metal matrix composites (AMMCs) by combining various ceramic reinforcing elements with aluminium alloys. Ceramic reinforcing materials increase the strength, hardness, and wear resistance. The aim was to enhance the mechanical and wear characteristics of a composite material, i.e., to find the mechanical characteristics of an Al6060/BN hybrid alloy, such as tensile strength, impact, hardness, etc. The composites were developed by incorporating silicon nitride (Si3N4), a hard ceramic material, as the main reinforcing component, along with boron nitride (BN), a solid lubricant, as the secondary reinforcement. The stir-casting technique was employed to fabricate aluminium metal matrix composites with varying weight fractions (0, 5, and 10) w/% of Si3N4 and BN. Tensile and hardness tests were conducted to analyse the basic mechanical properties of the resulting composites.