Synthesis and Characterization of TiO2 Reinforced Al6061 Composites

Abstract

This article presents the investigative work carried out to study the relationship between the physical, mechanical and tribological characteristics of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with Titanium dioxide (TiO2). The powder metallurgy route of production was followed to produce the composites (Al6061 containing 3 wt% TiO2). The composites were subjected to sequences of physical, mechanical and tribological investigations. The outputs of the experiments done indicate that the increase in TiO2 fillers increase the density of the composite and the values accepted by the rule of mixtures. The result of mechanical characterisation of Al6061-TiO2 composites was noticed to increase significantly with higher TiO2 content in the matrix, with loss in ductility. The dry sliding wear studies of Al6061-TiO2 composite showed greater wear resistance than Al6061 matrix and the composite containing higher filler content displayed the superior physical, mechanical and tribological characteristics.