AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE MECHANICAL AND TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOUR OF Al6061/MWCNTs METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

The present work aims to study the mechanical and tribological behavior of the metallic matrix nanocomposites of Al6061 alloy reinforced with various weight fractions (wt.%) of 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to be applied in automotive industries. All the present nanocomposites were produced using a hot-compaction powder metallurgy technique at temperatures of 420, 460, and 500 ºC and a pressure of 700 MPa.
 
After that, theoretical, actual, and relative densities were determined. The microstructure was also examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to confirm the distribution of the MWCNTs within Al6061 alloy. Moreover, mechanical characteristics of the produced nanocomposites were examined by Vickers microhardness and compression tests. The tribological characteristics were also examined by wear and friction tests using pin-on-disk test rig. Then, the worn surfaces were examined using SEM to study the occurred wear mechanism.
 
According to the experimental results, the optimum compaction temperature was 460 ºC. Consequently, the relative density improved and reached the highest value (97 %) at a MWCNTs content of 1.5 wt. %. Examination of the microstructure also demonstrated the good distribution of 1 wt. % MWCNTs within the Al6061 alloy. All mechanical and tribological properties including Vickers hardness number (VHN), ultimate compressive strength, wear rate, and the friction coefficient of the Al6061 alloy were improved and reached their best values at a content of 1.5 wt. % MWCNTs. Finally, the worn surface of the Al6061/1.5 wt. % MWCNTs nanocomposites contains less wear marks than that of pure Al6061 and other nanocomposites.

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