Influence of silicon carbide and porcelain on tribological performance of Al6061 based hybrid composites

The impact of silicon carbide (5 wt%) and porcelain (1.5-6.0 wt%) reinforcements on mechanical and tribological features of Al-based hybrid composite (manufactured by metal stir casting) is investigated. A pin-on-disc tribometer was used for experiment and SEM for the characterization of wear for different operating conditions. The hardness of the hybrid composites enhanced approximately by 57% with an increment in porcelain particulates from 1.5 to 6 wt%. However, the wear loss and average coefficient of friction decrease when the porcelain content was added and was found to be minimum at 4.5 wt% porcelain. Hence, the presence of 4.5 wt% porcelain in the Al6061/5SiC hybrid composites produces the best wear properties.