This study investigates the synergistic influence of boron nitride (BN) tertiary ceramic additives and age-hardening treatment on the microhardness and wear resistance of Al2090-based hybrid composites, fabricated using the stir casting method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies are carried out to assess the phases present, microstructure, and surface properties, respectively. The metallurgical investigations confirm a relatively superior uniformity in the distribution of particles and the ageing of precipitation at 150°C, vis-à-vis the other temperatures explored in this study. The experimental examinations conducted as per ASTM (E8 and G99) standards revealed a significant improvement in both the hardness and the primary tribological properties, when micron-sized boron carbide, graphite, and boron nitride were used as reinforcements. Age-hardened samples, especially the hybrid composite HS-2 with 5 wt.% each of boron carbide, graphite, and boron nitride, demonstrated an enhanced hardness of 25.23% and lower surface roughness (44.3 nm) compared to Al2090 (AS), due to the presence of load-bearing ceramic reinforcements. Increasing the applied load led to higher wear rates and coefficients of friction for Al2090. However, heat-treated hybrid metal matrix composites (HMMCs) exhibited a contrary behaviour, suggesting enhanced durability. The investigation highlighted the better wear resistance of heat-treated and near-optimally reinforced HMMCs, indicating their potential candidature for wear-resistant aerospace applications.
FenghongCChangCZhenyuW, et al.Effects of silicon carbide and tungsten carbide in aluminium metal matrix composites. Silicon2019; 11: 2625–2632.
2.
LiuSWangYMuthuramalingamT, et al.Effect of B4C and MOS2 reinforcement on microstructure and wear properties of aluminum hybrid composite for automotive applications. Compos Part B Eng2019; 176: 107329.
3.
ManojMJinuGRMuthuramalingamT. Multi-response optimization of AWJM process parameters on machining TiB2 particles reinforced Al7075 composite using Taguchi-DEAR methodology. Silicon2018; 10: 2287–2293.
4.
NaXWenqingLLiuZ, et al.Effect of scandium in Al–Sc and Al–Sc–Zr alloys under precipitation strengthening mechanism at 350 °C aging. Metals Mater Int2021; 27: 5145–5153.
5.
McDonaldRAGermanBJTakahashiT, et al.Future aircraft concepts and design methods. Aeronaut J2022; 126: 92–124.
6.
LiSSYueXLiQY, et al.Development and applications of aluminum alloys for aerospace industry. J Mater Res Technol2023; 27: 944–983.
7.
KermanidisAT. Aircraft aluminum alloys: applications and future trends. Revolutionizing Aircraft Mater Processes2020: 21–55.
8.
WilliamsJCStarke JrEA. Progress in structural materials for aerospace systems. Acta Mater2003; 51: 5775–5799.
9.
GhoriSWSiakengRRasheedM, et al.The role of advanced polymer materials in aerospace. In: Sustainable composites for aerospace applications. Woodhead Publishing, 2018, pp.19–34.
10.
KempaiahUNSanthoshNKumarDH, et al.Characterization of high-performance Al 5083/SiCP/Fly ash hybrid metal matrix composite for advanced aerospace applications. Int J Adv Innov Res2015; 3: 334–341.
11.
KainerKU. Basics of metal matrix composites. Metal Matrix Composites: Custom-Made Materials for Automotive and Aerospace Engineering2006: 1–54.
12.
SharathBNVenkateshCVAfzalA, et al.Multi-ceramic particles inclusion in the aluminium matrix and wear characterization through experimental and response surface-artificial neural networks. Materials (Basel)2021; 14: 2895.
13.
SharathBNVenkateshCV. Study on effect of boron carbide, aluminium oxide, and graphite on dry sliding wear behaviour of aluminium-based metal matrix composite at different temperatures. Tribologia2021; 38: 35–46.
14.
ReddyPVKumarGSKrishnuduDM, et al.Mechanical and wear performances of aluminium-based metal matrix composites: a review. J Bio Tribo-Corrosion2020; 6: 83.
15.
MadhuKSVenkateshCVSharathBN, et al.Effect of boron carbide on wear resistance of graphite-containing Al7029-based hybrid composites and its dry sliding wear characterization through experimental, response surface method, and ANOVA. Tribologia2021; 38: 48–60.
16.
Contreras CuevasABedolla BecerrilEMartínezMS, et al.Fabrication processes for metal matrix composites. Metal Matrix Composites: Wetting and Infiltration2018: 83–114.
17.
PanwarNChauhanA. Fabrication methods of particulate-reinforced aluminium metal matrix composite: a review. Mater Today Proc2018; 5: 5933–5939.
18.
SharathBNMadhuPVermaA. Enhancing tribological performance: a review of ceramic-reinforced aluminium hybrid composites for high-temperature engineering applications. Hybrid Adv2023; 4: 100094.
19.
KilickapE. Modeling and optimization of burr height in drilling of Al-7075 using Taguchi method and response surface methodology. Int J Adv Manuf Technol2010; 49: 911–923.
20.
SharathBNKarthikSMadhuP, et al.Predictive analysis of slurry erosion behaviour in aluminium-based hybrid metal matrix composites: experimental and machine learning approach. J Bio Tribo-Corrosion2023; 9: 70.
21.
SinghLSinghBSaxenaKK. Manufacturing techniques for metal matrix composites (MMC): an overview. Adv Mater Process Technol2020; 6: 441–457.
22.
NagarajaSKodandappaRAnsariK, et al.Influence of heat treatment and reinforcements on tensile characteristics of aluminium AA5083/silicon carbide/fly ash composites. Materials (Basel)2021; 14: 5261.
23.
ReddyMSChettySVPremkumarS, et al.Influence of reinforcements and heat treatment on mechanical and wear properties of Al7075-based hybrid composites. Procedia Mater Sci2014; 5: 508–516.
24.
GargPJamwalAKumarD, et al.Advance research progresses in aluminium matrix composites: manufacturing & applications. J Mater Res Technol2019; 8: 4924–4939.
25.
GangilNSiddiqueeANMaheshwariS. Aluminium-based in-situ composite fabrication through friction stir processing: a review. J Alloys Compd2017; 715: 91–104.
26.
OzdenSEkiciRNairF. Investigation of impact behaviour of aluminium-based SiC particle-reinforced metal matrix composites. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf2007; 38: 484–494.
27.
RajaramSSubbiahTMahaliPK, et al.Effect of age-hardening temperature on mechanical and wear behaviour of furnace-cooled Al7075-tungsten carbide composite. Materials (Basel)2022; 15: 5344.
28.
SharathBNJeevanTPBaigMA, et al.Machinability studies on boron carbide and graphite reinforced aluminium hybrid composites. Mater Today Proc2021; 46: 8734–8741.
29.
BaiHXueCLyuJL, et al.Thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of flake graphite/copper composite with a boron carbide-boron nano-layer on graphite surface. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf2018; 106: 42–51.
30.
MuthazhaganCGnanavelbabuABhaskarGB, et al.Influence of graphite reinforcement on mechanical properties of aluminium-boron carbide composites. Adv Mater Res2014; 845: 398–402.
31.
AatthisuganIRoseARJebaduraiDS. Mechanical and wear behaviour of AZ91D magnesium matrix hybrid composite reinforced with boron carbide and graphite. J Magnes Alloys2017; 5: 20–25.
32.
ZhuYCaiJHosmaneNS, et al.Introduction: basic concept of boron and its physical and chemical properties. In: Fundamentals and applications of boron chemistry. Elsevier, 2022, pp.1–57.
33.
TahirMAvinashiSKParveenS, et al.Synergetic effects of boron nitride with waste zirconia: evaluation of instantaneous fingerprint detection and mechanical properties for biomedical applications. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater2023; 145: 106032.
34.
RathinasabapathySSanthoshMSAsokanM. Significance of boron nitride in composites and its applications. Recent Adv Boron-Containing Mater2020: 63.
35.
AlloysWA. International alloy designations and chemical composition limits for wrought aluminum and. 2015.
36.
RavinathHAhammedIHarigovindP, et al.Impact of aging temperature on the metallurgical and dry sliding wear behaviour of LM25/Al2O3 metal matrix composite for potential automotive application. Int J Lightweight Mater Manuf2023; 6: 416–433.
37.
LiJLLoPJHoMC, et al.Phase diagram of Au-Al-Cu at 500 °C. Gold Bull2014; 47: 167–175.
38.
KarunanithiCNatarajanS. Surface characteristics of 3-D printed PEEK polymer using atomic force microscopy. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater2024; 149: 106237.
39.
RajRRYoganandhJSaravananMS, et al.Effect of graphene addition on the mechanical characteristics of AA7075 aluminium nanocomposites. Carbon Lett2021; 31: 125–136.
