Comparative Study of the Reinforcements on AlSi8Cu3Fe (LM 24) Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite

Aluminum silicon alloys have been widely desired alloy for many engineering applications because of their excellent casting characteristics. To extend the utilization of aluminium silicon alloy, the mechanical and tribological properties need to be improved. The present investigation compares the effect of Silicon carbide, Molybdenum disulfide, and Aluminum oxide reinforcements on LM 24 metal matrix composites. The combinational effect of ceramic (SiC) + ceramic (Al2O3), ceramic (SiC/Al2O3) + solid lubricant (MoS2) and ceramic (SiC) + ceramic (Al2O3) + solid lubricant (MoS2) reinforcement was also studied. Aluminum metal matrix composites were produced by liquid metallurgy method. The microstructural, mechanical and wear behaviour of prepared samples were studied. The scanning electron microscope was employed to examine the scattering of reinforcements on fabricated composites. The wear rate and coefficient of friction were analyzed through pin on disc sliding wear test device. The fabricated composites possess improved mechanical and tribological properties compared with monolithic alloy LM 24 (Sample 1). The microstructural study of wear samples exposed that self lubricant mechanism of solid lubricant (MoS2) plays one of the significant parts in decreasing the wear loss of the fabricated composites.