INVESTIGATION OF MECHANICAL AND TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM HYBRID NANOCOMPOSITE PRODUCED BY NOVEL STIR-ULTRASONIC-SQUEEZE CASTING METHOD

This work uses a novel stir-ultrasonic-squeeze casting technique to fabricate hybrid nanocomposites based on aluminium alloy 6061 (AA6061). Owing to its excellent strength, ability to withstand corrosion, and formability as a matrix material, AA6061 was chosen. The process involves adding boron carbide (B4C) & graphite and (Gr) nanoparticles (np) to the aluminium melt, followed by mechanical stirring, ultrasonic agitation, and squeeze casting to produce the sound casting. The weight percentages of (B4C and Gr) np were taken at a constant 2wt%. The mechanical and tribological properties of these hybrid metal matrix nanocomposites (HMMNCs) are examined in this study. A Brinell hardness number and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) in MPa examined are 66.9 and 197.01 with a 27.02% and 4.06% increment for (2wt%B4C+2wt%Gr). A pin-on-disk (POD) tribometer was used to analyze the dry sliding wear of the composite. Significantly, compared to AA6061 (as cast), the wear characteristics show a lower average coefficient of friction and wear rate for 2wt% HMMNCs. For all loads and sliding velocities, a better increase is thus seen, highlighting the better mechanical and tribological performance of 2wt% B4C with 2wt% Gr.