Investigations on Wear and Microstructural Behavior of SiC-B4C and SiC/B4C-Gr Based Hybrid Aluminum Matrix Composites

Abstract Aluminum matrix hybrid-filled composites exhibit good strength along with wear-resistant properties. The present research compares the tribological behavior of ceramics–ceramics (SiC–B4C), hybrid-filled composites, and ceramics–graphite (SiC/B4C–Gr) hybrid-filled aluminum matrix nanocomposites. The composites were fabricated using the ultrasonic-assisted stir casting casting method. Microstructural analysis performed through scanning electron microscopy exhibited a uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in the matrix phase. The dry sliding wear behavior of the composites was studied using a high-temperature pin-on-disk tribometer. The input parameters set on the tribometer included pin temperature, normal load, and sliding velocity. Experiments were also conducted to evaluate the mechanical characteristics (hardness and tensile strength) of the fabricated composites. The results of the tribological study indicate that pin temperature is the most influential parameter affecting both the wear rate (WR) and coefficient of friction (COF). The graphite-ceramics–filled hybrid composites demonstrated the lowest wear rate and coefficient of friction, although they exhibited poor mechanical properties. The wear rate improved by 33 % in graphite-ceramic-reinforced composites. However, the tensile strength and hardness decreased by 10 % and 17 %, respectively, in these composites.