Analyzing the Dry Sliding Wear Performance on Aluminum 6061 Alloy Reinforced with SIC And B₄C Hybrid Nanocomposite

Abstract

The methodology of enhancing the wear resistance of hybrid Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) involves reinforcing the metal or alloy with robust materials. This study focuses on the manufacturing of a hybrid nanocomposite, which includes 0.6 vol.% of Silicon Carbide (SiC) and 0.2 vol.% of Boron Carbide (B₄C) nanoparticles with aluminum (Al) 6061 alloy. This is achieved through an ultrasonic assisted stir casting methodology, and a pin-on-disc tribometer is used to investigate the sliding wear rate and Coefficient of Friction (COF). Vicker's microhardness tester evaluated the microhardness of the nanocomposite, revealing it to be 18% harder than the Al 6061 alloy. Further, the metallurgical examination done through Hi-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (HRSEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques confirmed the existence of SiC and B₄C nanoparticles. The wear experiment was done under diverse input wear experiment variables such as applied load, sliding velocity, and sliding distance, and optimization was done through Taguchi’s technique. Applied load contributed 40.9% to wear rate, and increasing load increased wear rate due to higher pin-counter disc contact pressure. Sliding speed contributed 42.18% to the COF, while increasing it decreased it due to lower pin-disc contact. The worn area inspection revealed an abrasive wear mechanism with substantial surface degradation at higher loads. The study may progress science and develop stronger materials for many purposes.