Wear Characteristics of (Al/B₄C and Al/TiC) Nanocomposites Synthesized via Powder Metallurgy Method

Objective: The aim of the present work is to study the microstructure, wear behavior, physical properties, and micro-hardness of the aluminum matrix AA6061 reinforced with TiC and B₄C nanoparticles with different concentrations of 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5 wt.%. Methodology: Al/B₄C and Al/TiC nanocomposites were fabricated with a powder metallurgy route. A dry sliding wear test was performed with a pin-on-disc machine. The wear test was performed at the applied loads of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 N at a constant time for about 10 min. The microstructural analysis of the fabricated nanocomposites was examined via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The obtained data: The results of this work show that increasing the applied load leads to a decrease in the wear rate of the aluminum matrix and its nanocomposites. The wear rate of the aluminum matrix without any additives is about 7.25 × 10⁻⁷ (g/cm), while for Al/TiC and Al/B₄C, it is 5.1 × 10⁻⁷ (g/cm) and 4.21 × 10⁻⁷ (g/cm), respectively. An increment in B₄C percent increases the actual density, while an increment in TiC percent minimizes the actual density at 2.90 g/cm³ and 2.51 g/cm³, respectively. An increment in B₄C percent decreases by 4.61%, while the porosity slightly increases with increases in TiC percent of 6.2%. Finally, the micro-hardness for Al/B₄C is about 92 (HRC), and for Al/TiC, it is about 87.4 (HRC). Originality: In the present work, nanocomposites were fabricated using a powder metallurgy route. Fabricated nanocomposites are important in engineering industries owing to their excellent wear resistance, low thermal distortion, and light weight compared with other nanocomposites. On the other hand, Al/B₄C and Al/TiC nanocomposites fabricated with a powder metallurgy route have not previously been investigated in a comparative study. Therefore, an investigation into these nanocomposites was performed.