ENHANCING THE FRICTIONAL BEHAVIOUR OF H-BN REINFORCED NANOCOMPOSITES THROUGH LASER SHOCK PEENING

In this research work, LM6 Aluminum alloy based metal matrix composites reinforced with varying amounts (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 wt%) of boron nitride (BN) having 10 to 30 nanometers average size were developed by using powder metallurgy and squeeze casting routes. The mechanical and tribological properties are analyzed for the samples developed through the two different routes and the influence of the process on the properties is discussed. Thus developed nano composite is studied for the effect of weight percentage addition of nano H-BN particle on the bulk and surface properties. Mechanical testing and advanced characterization methods are used to study the effect of the nano H-BN addition to the matrix material and to evaluate the composite for its suitability as a potential friction material used in strategic sectors. It has been inferred that the presence of nano H-BN have improved the bulk and surface properties. Further, it has been established that the powder metallurgy route has some favorable results when compared to squeeze casting in terms of certain properties. Thus fabricated composites were subjected to laser shock peening process to study its impact on the surface and wear characteristics. The 0.6 wt% H-BN reinforced composites fabricated separately by Powder metallurgy and Squeeze casting method are exposed to laser shock peening process and it was inferred that there is a significant improvement on the surface and wear properties when compared to normal specimen.