Wear Behaviour of Aluminium 7075 based Composites Reinforced with SiC, Red Mud and Al2O3

Abstract

The present research work on the abrasive wear behavior of aluminium metal matrix composite reinforcement with red mud, SiC, and Al2O3 with an objective to explore the use of red mud, SiC and Al2O3 as a reinforcing material due to its easy availability and the presence of all the reinforcing elements required. The microhardness studies and the wear performance were carried out by the variation in the percentage of reinforcements in the matrix. A Computerized pin-on-disc machine was used to assess the wear characteristics of the aluminium alloy 7075 with red mud, SiC and Al2O3 Composites. To measure the value of microhardness number, microhardness tester was employed. The specimens were studied under optical microscope and SEM to know the distribution pattern of the reinforcement. The wear behaviour of the composite and the hardness of the matrix material are also improved due to the dispersion of particulates in the aluminium matrix.