Development of mechanical wear ability on aluminum LM grade metal matrix composite reinforced with silicon carbide, magnesium nitride and gallium nitride particles

Abstract The superior mechanical and physical properties of aluminum metal matrix composites over the underlying Al alloy make them popular in a wide range of applications. The LM6, LM25, and LM4 alloys are reinforced with ceramic particles made of silicon carbide (SiC) 2% to 4%, magnesium nitride (Mg 3 N 2 ) 2% to 4%, and gallium nitride (GaN) 0.5% to 1%, despite their extreme strength and durability. The die casting process was used to create a hybrid aluminum metal matrix composite. The mechanical behavior of the created metal matrix composite (MMC) was assessed using wear and tensile tests. A material’s bonding ability, reinforcement pullout, and microcracks were discovered by SEM image analysis; its chemical composition was determined by XRD; and its thermal stability was assessed by TGA. A highest tensile strength of 258 N mm −2 was attained with the sample (LM25-3) that had 2% silicon carbide, 4% magnesium nitride, and 1% gallium nitride reinforcement. The sample (LM25-3) exhibits a minimum wear loss of 0.0011 mg m −1 at 1100 rpm with a load of 5 kg. A temperature before 400 °C, the thermal residual mass vary from 97.7% to 91.3%, while 54% to 32% was consistently found above 800 °C in all samples.