Experimental Investigation on Microstructure, Mechanical Behavior and Tribological analysis of Al2017/SiC/TiO₂ Composed by Double Stir Casting Route
Abstract:
In this study, a double stir casting machine was used to produce silicon carbide (SiC) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) reinforced aluminum-based steel-based hybrid composites. SiC and TiO₂ were chosen for their excellent tribological and physical properties. Due to limited data on the mechanical properties of Al2017 composites with SiC and TiO₂, Al/SiC/TiO₂ hybrid nanocomposites were prepared from 5 wt% SiC nanoparticles, 5 wt% TiO₂ nanoparticles, and 5.5 wt% mixture of both. Microstructural analysis confirmed the uneven distribution of SiC and TiO₂ particles in the aluminum matrix. The hardness of Al2017/SiC composite is 46.33 HRB, and the hardness of Al2017/TiO₂ composite is 44.33 HRB. However, the hardness of the Al2017/SiC/TiO₂ combination decreased by 40.33 HRB, indicating the importance of considering the composition and support combination when producing metal matrix composites. The observed decrease in hardness of Al2017/SiC/TiO₂ composites can be attributed to various factors, including the interaction and relationship between SiC and TiO₂ particles in the aluminum matrix. Further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanism of Al2017 composites and improve their electrical properties.
