Physical, mechanical and dry sliding wear properties of hybrid and non-hybrid Al–V nanocomposites produced by powder metallurgy

ABSTRACT

The present work aims to characterise the sliding wear behaviour of non-hybrid Al–Al₃V and hybrid Al–(Al₃V, Al₂O₃) nanocomposites. Wear rates were calculated from mass loss measurements. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) pattern was utilised to evaluate the microstructural changes during milling hot-pressed samples. It was found that the wear resistance of hybrid nanocomposites was enhanced by increasing Al₃V–Al₂O₃ percentage due to an increase in hardness. The mass loss measurement showed that not only was the wear rate of hybrid samples lower than that of Al–Al₃V, but also it had lower friction coefficients in comparison to the non-hybrid sample. The worn surface evaluation in hybrid samples indicated that the formed darker layer possesses the features of the mechanically mixed layer (MML), which inhibits mass loss intensification. Moreover, formation of MML as a lubricant layer promotes the friction characteristic of the hybrid nanocomposite.

KEYWORDS:

• Aluminium
• nanocomposites
• wear
• electron microscopy
• X-ray diffraction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Mahdi Hajihashemi is a PhD student at Isfahan University of Technology and focuses on the characterisation of new methods to improve the properties of materials (metals). He is a master of science in materials engineering from Isfahan University of Technology.

Nima Yazdian is a master of science in materials engineering from Isfahan University of Technology. He focuses on the synthesis, characterisation and application of nanomaterials.

Fathallah Karimzadeh is a full professor in materials engineering from Isfahan University of Technology and focuses on nano effects on properties of materials, especially synthesis of physical and thermodynamic properties, characterisation and application of nanomaterials (nanostructured materials, nanocomposites, nanoparticles), especially functional nanomaterials, evolutions of mechanical and tribological behaviour of nanostructured materials and joining of nanostructured materials.

Mohammad Hosein Enayati is a full professor in materials engineering from Isfahan University of Technology and Fellow of Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM), UK. He focuses on nanostructured and amorphous materials and advanced materials for thermal spray coatings.