Title: Tribological investigations of AZ91D hybrid composite developed by friction stir processing

Authors: M. Sathiskumar; M. Kamaraj

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India ' Centre for Composites and Advanced Materials, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: This work describes the fabrication of a self-lubricating and surface wear-resistant hybrid composite. It has an AZ91D base composite reinforced with a combination of WS₂ and MoS₂ particles. The friction stir processing (FSP) technique was utilised to produce all composite specimens by varying the volume fraction to 5%, 10%, and 15%. The samples were prepared, as per the ASTM standards, for conducting various tests to obtain the mechanical properties. The specimens with 15% volume fractions demonstrated the lowest wear rate and the lowest friction coefficient in the wear tests. The sliding speed of 3 m/s and load 30 N results in a lower roughness value of 0.285 μm. The wear mechanisms of the composite were identified from the SEM observations of the worn surfaces of the sample. The load and sliding speed determine what type of wear mechanisms predominate. At lower sliding speeds and loads, abrasion, oxidation, and delamination wear mechanisms were more prominent than adhesion and thermal softening/melting.

Keywords: friction stir process; hybrid composite; solid lubricant; roughness; wear rate; sliding speed.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2024.138501

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2024 Vol.18 No.2, pp.106 - 129

Received: 27 Apr 2023
Accepted: 07 Oct 2023
Published online: 08 May 2024 *

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