Study on mechanical and wear properties of Al 7075/Al2O3/graphite hybrid composites

This work investigated the influence of graphite on the wear behavior of Al 7075/Al2O3/5 wt.% graphite hybrid composite. The investigation reveals the effectiveness of incorporation of graphite in the composite for gaining wear reduction. The Al 7075 (aluminium alloy 7075) reinforced with Al2O3-graphite were investigated. The composites were fabricated using liquid metallurgy route. Ceramic particles along with solid lubricating materials were incorporated into aluminium alloy matrix to accomplish reduction in both wear resistance and coefficient of friction. The Al 7075/Al2O3/graphite hybrid composite was prepared with 5 wt.% graphite particles addition and 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt.% of Al2O3. The hardness, tensile strength, flexural strength and compression strength of the Al 7075-Al2O3-graphite hybrid composites are found to be increased by increased weight percentage of ceramic phase. The wear properties of the hybrid composites containing graphite exhibited the superior wear-resistance properties. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.