EFFECT OF MHA ON TRIBO-BEHAVIOUR OF Al-MHA-Si3N4 HYBRID COMPOSITES

In the contemporary research community, hybrid composites with improved performance are emerging as a trend, overcoming the drawbacks of conventional composites and satisfying needs in tribological applications. In this work, Al-MHA-Si3N4 hybrid composites reinforced with various weight percentages of mustard husk ash (MHA), 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5% and 10%, produced by powder metallurgy techniques at 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 MPa compaction pressure were analysed. The microstructural characterization of the metal matrix hybrid composites, followed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) investigations show the homogeneous distribution of the reinforcement in the metal matrix. A sliding wear study without lubrication was performed on a pin-on-disc wear testing machine under the following sliding conditions: sliding velocity (SV) of 1.5 m/s, sliding distance (SD) of 300 m and applied loads of 25 N and 35 N. The deformation of the worn surfaces was also investigated. It was found that the tribological characteristics of the composites were enhanced by increasing the weight percentage of MHA and the compaction pressure.