Abstracto

Effect of Particle Size and Weight Fraction of Alumina Reinforcement on Wear Behavior of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites

Raghavendra N, V S Ramamurthy

Aluminum 7075 based composites reinforced with alumina (Al2O3) in varying particle size of 100,140 and 200 mesh(149,105 ,74 micron) & varying reinforcement weight fractions of 3%,6%,9% and 12% were prepared. The stir casting process was chosen as the manufacturing route as it is cost effective for mass production. Stirring of the melt was carried out to achieve uniform distribution of the reinforcement Mechanical test like Hardness test, Microstructure characterization and wear study was conducted on the casted composites to know the effect of particle size and weight fraction of reinforcement. Hardness was found to increase with decrease in particle size and it increases as the weight fraction increases. The wear rate and coefficient of friction decreased as the particle size was reduced. But increase in weight fraction reduces both wear rate and coefficient of friction