Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of different parameters and aging time on wear resistance and hardness of SiC-B4C reinforced AA6061 alloy

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Applications of aluminum matrix composites are increasing in aerospace, automotive and biomedical fields because of their high strength, light weight and good wear resistant properties. From an intense literature review it is observed that various combinations of aluminum alloys have been developed through different manufacturing methodologies and their characteristics have been studied. It is identified that the study of a composite material consists of AA6061 alloy as a matrix material reinforced with SiC and B4C; a comparative experiment on sliding wear characteristics, hardness and wear resistant properties of nanocomposite with different aging time is a novel area yet to be undertaken. This paper presents a study of sliding wear characteristics in silicon carbide, boron carbide reinforcement prepared by using stir casting process. The hardness and wear resistance properties of nanocomposites with different aging time were measured in the work. When comparatively analyzed with AA6061, AA6061 reinforced with silicon carbide, AA6061 reinforced with boron carbide exhibited a steady and higher hardness than the other two metal composites. Also, we observed that when sliding wear characteristics are compared, the AMC reinforced with boron carbide exhibits an optimum wear rate. The optimal values of control parameters in wear rate and friction coefficient for boron carbide reinforced aluminum matrix composites are determined by response surface methodology. The control parameters considered are applied load, speed, weight % of reinforcement and distance. The effect of control parameters on the output variables was investigated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and response plot. Interestingly, 27% increase in hardness value for B4C reinforced composite material at the aging time of 200 minutes was observed. Furthermore, wear rate for B4C reinforced composite material was four times reduced as compared to monolithic AA6061. These improvements may be attributed to the homogeneous particle size, particle distribution without agglomeration and optimized parameters.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. V. K. Lindroos and M. J. Talvitie, Recent advances in metal matrix composites, J of Materials Processing Technology, 53 (1–2) (1995) 273–284.

    Google Scholar 

  2. H. Kala et al., A review on mechanical and tribological behaviors of stir cast aluminum matrix composites, Procedia Materials Science, 6 (2014) 1951–1960.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  3. S. Nallusamy, Analysis of welding properties in FSW aluminium 6351 alloy plates added with silicon carbide particles, International J of Engineering Research in Africa, 21 (2016) 110–117.

    Google Scholar 

  4. R. S. Mishra and Z. Y. Ma, Friction stir welding and processing, Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports, 50 (1–2) (2005) 1–78.

    Google Scholar 

  5. H. S. Arora et al., Composite fabrication using friction stir processing—A review, The International J. of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 61 (9–12) (2012) 1043–1055.

    Google Scholar 

  6. D. L. McDanels, Analysis of stress-strain, fracture, and ductility behavior of aluminum matrix composites containing discontinuous silicon carbide reinforcement, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 16 (6) (1985) 1105–1115.

    Google Scholar 

  7. M. Tan et al., Influence of SiC and Al2O3 particulate reinforcements and heat treatments on mechanical properties and damage evolution of Al-2618 metal matrix composites, J of Materials Science, 36 (8) (2001) 2045–2053.

    Google Scholar 

  8. L. M. Tham et al., Effect of limited matrix-reinforcement interfacial reaction on enhancing the mechanical properties of aluminium-silicon carbide composites, Acta Materialia, 49 (16) (2001) 3243–3253.

    Google Scholar 

  9. G. Cam and S. Mistikoglu, Recent developments in friction stir welding of Al-alloys, J of Materials Engineering and Performance, 23 (6) (2014) 1936–1953.

    Google Scholar 

  10. K. R. Brown et al., The increasing use of aluminum in automotive applications, JOM, 47 (7) (1995) 20–23.

    Google Scholar 

  11. S. M. Almotairy et al., Mechanical properties of aluminium metal matrix nanocomposites manufactured by assisted -Flake powder thixoforming process, Metals and Materials International (2019) 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  12. P. Ravindran et al., Investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum hybrid nanocomposites with the additions of solid lubricant, Materials & Design, 51 (2013) 448–456.

    Google Scholar 

  13. B. Saleh et al., Review on the influence of different reinforcements on the microstructure and wear behavior of functionally graded aluminum matrix composites by centrifugal casting, Metals and Materials International (2019) 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  14. S. Nallusamy, A review on the effects of casting quality, microstructure and mechanical properties of cast Al-Si-0.3 Mg alloy, International J. of Performability Engineering, 12 (2) (2016) 143–154.

    Google Scholar 

  15. K. Ozturk et al., Preform - Based production of Al2O3 -Reinforced aluminum matrix composites by using various modification techniques, Metals and Materials International (2019) 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  16. S. Mamnooni et al., In - situ synthesis of aluminum matrix composite from Al-NiO system by mechanical alloying, Metals and Materials International, 1–8 (2019).

    Google Scholar 

  17. S. Liu et al., Effect of pack rolling and heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of B4CP/6061Al composite prepared by powder metallurgy, Metals and Materials International (2019) 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  18. K. M. Shorowordi et al., Microstructure and interface characteristics of B4C, SiC and Al2O3 reinforced Al matrix composites: A comparative study, J. of Materials Processing Technology, 142 (3) (2003) 738–743.

    Google Scholar 

  19. E. Martin et al., Strain hardening behavior and temperature effect on Al-2124/SiCp, J. of Materials Processing Technology, 143 (2003) 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  20. B. Ravi et al., Characterization of aluminium matrix composites (AA6061/B4C) fabricated by stir casting technique, Materials Today: Proceedings, 2 (4–5) (2015) 2984–2990.

    Google Scholar 

  21. S. Wang, T. Yue and M. A. Wahab, Multiscale analysis of the effect of debris on fretting wear process using a semi-concurrent method, Computers, Materials & Continua CMC, 62 (1) (2020) 17–35.

    Google Scholar 

  22. M. Djafri et al., Influence of thermal fatigue on the wear behaviour of brake discs sliding against organic and semi-metallic friction materials, Tribology Transactions, 61 (5) (2018) 861–868.

    Google Scholar 

  23. K. Pereira, T. Yue and M. A. Wahab, Multiscale analysis of the effect of roughness on fretting wear, Tribology International, 110 (2017) 222–231.

    Google Scholar 

  24. T. Yue and M. A. Wahab, A numerical study on the effect of debris layer on fretting wear, Materials, 9 (7) (2016) 597.

    Google Scholar 

  25. T. Yue and M. A. Wahab, Finite element analysis of stress singularity in partial slip and gross sliding regimes in fretting wear, Wear, 321 (2014) 53–63.

    Google Scholar 

  26. S. Ozden et al., Investigation of impact behavior of aluminum based SiC particle reinforced metal-matrix composites, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 38 (2) (2007) 484–494.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  27. V. C. Uvaraja and N. Natarajan, Tribological characterization of stir-cast hybrid composite Aluminum 6061 reinforced with SiC and B4C particulates, European J. of Scientific Research, 76 (4) (2012) 539–552.

    Google Scholar 

  28. S. Karabulut et al., Study on the mechanical and drilling properties of AA7039 composites reinforced with Al2O3/B4C/SiC particles, Composites Part B: Engineering, 93 (2016) 43–55.

    Google Scholar 

  29. R. Behera et al., Study on machinability of aluminum silicon carbide metal matrix composites, J. of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, 10 (10) (2011) 923–939.

    Google Scholar 

  30. D. J. Lloyd, The solidification microstructure of particulate reinforced aluminium/SiC composites, Composites Science and Technology, 35 (2) (1989) 159–179.

    Google Scholar 

  31. A. Devaraju et al., Influence of rotational speed and reinforcements on wear and mechanical properties of aluminum hybrid composites via friction stir processing, Materials & Design, 45 (2013) 576–585.

    Google Scholar 

  32. M. Saadatmand and J. A. Mohandesi, Modeling tensile strength of Al-SiC functionally graded composite produced using friction stir processing (FSP), Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 68 (2) (2015) 319–325.

    Google Scholar 

  33. S. Soleymani et al., Microstructural and tribological properties of Al5083 based surface hybrid composite produced by friction stir processing, Wear, 278 (2012) 41–47.

    Google Scholar 

  34. S. A. Alidokht et al., Microstructure and tribological performance of an aluminum alloy-based hybrid composite produced by friction stir processing, Materials and Design, 32 (5) (2011) 2727–2733.

    Google Scholar 

  35. A. Devaraju et al., Influence of rotational speed and reinforcements on wear and mechanical properties of aluminum hybrid composites via friction stir processing, Materials and Design, 45 (2013) 576–585.

    Google Scholar 

  36. M. Moazami-Goudarzi and F. Akhlaghi, Wear behavior of Al 5252 alloy reinforced with micrometric and nanometric SiC particles, Tribology International, 102 (2016) 28–37.

    Google Scholar 

  37. F. Khodabakhshi et al., Microstructure and texture development during friction stir processing of Al-Mg alloy sheets with TIO2 nanoparticles, Materials Science and Engineering: A, 605 (2014) 108–118.

    Google Scholar 

  38. R. Hashemi and G. Hussain, Wear performance of Al/TiN dispersion strengthened surface composite produced through friction stir process: A comparison of tool geometries and number of passes, Wear, 324 (2015) 45–54.

    Google Scholar 

  39. K. Rajkumar et al., Microwave heat treatment on aluminum 6061 alloy-boron carbide composites, Procedia Engineering, 86 (2014) 34–41.

    Google Scholar 

  40. F. Toptan et al., Processing and microstructural characterisation of AA 1070 and AA 6063 matrix B4C reinforced composites, Materials and Design, 31 (S1) (2010) S87–S91.

    Google Scholar 

  41. N. Yuvaraj and S. Aravindan, Fabrication of Al5083/B4C surface composite by friction stir processing and its tribological characterization, J. of Materials Research and Technology, 4 (4) (2015) 398–410.

    Google Scholar 

  42. D. Patidar and R. S. Rana, Effect of B4C particle reinforcement on the various properties of aluminum matrix composites: A survey paper, Materials Today: Proceedings, 4 (2) (2017) 2981–2988.

    Google Scholar 

  43. J. Hashim et al., Metal matrix composites: Production by the stir casting method, J. of Materials Processing Technology, 92 (1999) 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  44. K. R. Padmavathi and R. Ramakrishnan, Tribological behavior of aluminum hybrid metal matrix composite, Procedia Engineering, 97 (2014) 660–667.

    Google Scholar 

  45. R. G. Bhandare and P. M. Sonawane, Preparation of aluminum matrix composite by using stir casting method, International J. of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT), 3 (3) (2013) 61–65.

    Google Scholar 

  46. S. Poria et al., Wear and friction behavior of Al-TiB2-nano-Gr hybrid composites fabricated through ultrasonic cavitation assisted stir casting, Materials Research Express, 5 (5) (2018) 056509.

    Google Scholar 

  47. S. Chung and B. H. Hwang, A microstructural study of the wear behavior of SiCp/Al composites, Tribology International, 27 (5) (1994) 307–314.

    Google Scholar 

  48. B. Venkataraman and G. Sundararajan, The sliding wear behavior of Al-SiC particulate composites-1 macrobehavior, Acta Materialia, 44 (2) (1996) 451–460.

    Google Scholar 

  49. A. Karthikeyan and S. Nallusamy, Experimental analysis on sliding wear behavior of aluminium-6063 with SiC particulate composites, International J. of Engineering Research in Africa, 31 (2017) 36–43.

    Google Scholar 

  50. B. S. Unlii, Investigation of tribological and mechanical properties Al2O3-SiC reinforced Al composites manufactured by casting or P/M method, Materials and Design, 29 (10) (2008) 2002–2008.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Y. C. Feng et al., The properties and microstructure of hybrid composites reinforced with WO3 particles and Al18B403 whiskers by squeeze casting, Materials and Design, 30 (9) (2009) 3632–3635.

    Google Scholar 

  52. F. Tang et al., Dry sliding friction and wear properties of B4C particulate-reinforced Al-5083 matrix composites, Wear, 264 (7–8) (2008) 555–561.

    Google Scholar 

  53. B. V. Ramnath et al., Evaluation of mechanical properties of aluminum alloy-alumina-boron carbide metal matrix composites, Materials and Design, 58 (2014) 332–338.

    Google Scholar 

  54. L. Liu et al., Friction and wear properties of short carbon fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composites, Wear, 266 (7–8) (2009) 733–738.

    Google Scholar 

  55. M. Yildirim et al., Investigation of microstructure and wear behaviors of al matrix composites reinforced by carbon nanotube, Fullerenes Nanotubes and Carbon Nanostructures, 24 (7) (2016) 467–473.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Y. Iwai et al., Sliding wear behavior of SiC whisker-reinforced aluminum composite, Wear, 181 (P2) (1995) 594–602.

    Google Scholar 

  57. C. M. Rejil et al., Microstructure and sliding wear behavior of AA6360/(TiC+ B4C) hybrid surface composite layer synthesized by friction stir processing on aluminum substrate, Materials Science and Engineering: A, 552 (2012) 336–344.

    Google Scholar 

  58. A. E. P. A. Baradeswaran and A. E. Perumal, Influence of B4C on the tribological and mechanical properties of Al 7075-B4C composites, Composites Part B: Engineering, 54 (2013) 146–152.

    Google Scholar 

  59. F. Toptan et al., Reciprocal dry sliding wear behavior of B4Cp reinforced aluminum alloy matrix composites, Wear, 290 (2012) 74–85.

    Google Scholar 

  60. K. M Shorowordi et al., Microstructure and interface characteristics of B4C, SiC and Al2O3 reinforced Al matrix composites: A comparative study, J. of Materials Processing Technology, 142 (3) (2003) 738–743.

    Google Scholar 

  61. V. Auradi et al., Preparation characterization and evaluation of mechanical properties of 6061Al-reinforced B4C particulate composites via two-stage melt stirring, Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 29 (2) (2014) 194–200.

    Google Scholar 

  62. L. Poovazhagan et al., Processing and performance characteristics of aluminum-nano boron carbide metal matrix nanocomposites, Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 31 (10) (2016) 1275–1285.

    Google Scholar 

  63. H. Chen et al., The design, microstructure and tensile properties of B4C particulate reinforced 6061 Al neutron absorber composites, J. of Alloys and Compounds, 632 (2015) 23–29.

    Google Scholar 

  64. H. Chen et al., Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of B4C/6061Al neutron absorber composite sheets fabricated by powder metallurgy, J. of Alloys and Compounds, 730 (2018) 342–351.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Y. Zhou et al., Distribution of the microalloying element Cu in B4C-reinforced 6061Al composites, J. of Alloys and Compounds, 728 (2017) 112–117.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Y. Z. Li et al., Interfacial reaction mechanism between matrix and reinforcement in B4C/6061Al composites, Materials Chemistry and Physics, 154 (2015) 107–117.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Y. N. Zan et al., Enhancing high-temperature strength of B4C- 6061 Al neutron absorber material by in-situ Mg(Al)B2, J. of Nuclear Materials, 526 (2019).

Download references

Acknowledgments

This paper was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, AlKharj, Saudi Arabia

    Hussein Alrobei

Authors
  1. Hussein Alrobei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hussein Alrobei.

Additional information

Recommended by Editor Chongdu Cho

Hussein Alrobei received both the M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2014 from University of South Florida, United States and the Ph.D. in 2018. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Prince Sattam Bin Abdu-laziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. His research interests include physical and photoelectrochemical properties of molybdenum disulfide alpha-hematite nanocomposite films.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alrobei, H. Effect of different parameters and aging time on wear resistance and hardness of SiC-B4C reinforced AA6061 alloy. J Mech Sci Technol 34, 2027–2034 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0424-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0424-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation