Enhanced Tribological Performance of AA2024-Based Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced with SiC and CNT: A Comprehensive Study

Abstract

Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites (AMMCs) are widely used engineering materials in a variety of fields, particularly in the aerospace and automotive industries due to certain specific properties such as high strength and stiffness, thermal stability, corrosion and wear resistance, and fatigue life. In the present study, the hybrid metal matrix composite with AA2024 as a matrix and SiC and CNT as reinforcements was fabricated with different wt% combinations of reinforcements using liquid stir casting method. The prepared specimens were then subjected to tribological and microstructural characterization to assess the suitability of the composite for the specific applications. The frictional force, coefficient of friction and wear rate were determined by using linear reciprocating wear analysis. The results reveals that the specimen AA2024-0.25%SiC-0.75%CNT composition exhibits lowest wear rate of 2.222 x10^-6g/Nm, 2.083 x10^-6g/Nm and 1.3168x10^-6g/Nm at three different loads 5N, 10N and 15N respectively when compared with the other composition. SEM analysis was done to study the microstructure of prepared specimens.