Evaluating wear characteristics of self-lubricating composition for spools used in pneumatic valves

Abstract

Aluminum Composite materials are mainly used for the application of light weight material in many aspects, the main application is considered for the front and rear spools in automobile. Apart from automobile field it is also used in various structural application and valves of transportation. The Aluminum Composites is to increase the strength and life span of the components. Basically, Most of the Aluminum Alloy does not satisfactory wear resistance. The focus of this research paper is to select a suitable Aluminum Alloy and composition that compensates high strength, wear resistance, and self-lubricating property. It is noted that spools are manufactured by using stainless steel which are more weight when compared to Aluminum alloy. Aluminum Alloy is reinforced with the composite material Molybdenum-Di-Sulphide which has a low friction, very good self-lubrication system in it. In this work, influence of Molybdenum-Di-Sulphide (MoS2) is added to increase the performance of the spools using Aluminum Alloy-7075 was studied. Stir casting technique is used to fabricate the hybrid composite with AA7075 with Molybdenum-Di-Sulphide (MoS2) at varying weight fractions such as 3%, 6% and 9% for improving wear properties. The Mechanical characteristics and Wear characteristics are analyzed to prove the strength and life span of the material composition. The wear and friction tests yield good results at higher sliding speed, low load and high composition. The main motive of this project is to increase the wear resistance and life time of the spools.