The effect of TiC particulate reinforcement on dry sliding wear behaviour of Al based composites

Abstract The purpose of developing Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) is to improve the mechanical and tribological properties by adding reinforcement in to the aluminium alloy. The current research is focussed on enhance the tribological and mechanical properties of Al6061 alloy MMC with the addition of Titanium Carbide (TiCp) particles. Different composites were developed by varying TiC particles for 3, 6, 9 and 12 weight percent. Tensile and hardness tests were conducted to evaluate mechanical properties. Wear test also carried out at constant load of 10N and velocity of 2 m/s for all weight fractions at sliding distances of 300m, 600m, 900m and 1200m. It was found that, Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) and hardness increased with the increase of TiCp. The worn-out surface of tested specimens were analysed and found that frictional coefficient and wear rate decreased with the increase of reinforcement and sliding distances for all the weight fractions. However, after 9% weight fraction the wear rate increases.