Effect of controllable parameters on the tribological behavior of ceramic particulate reinforced aluminium metal matrix composites: A review

Abstract

The inherent properties of ceramic type of reinforcements such as high fracture toughness, high corrosive resistance, improved wear resistance make it suitable as reinforcements inMetal Matrix Composites (MMC).This review article summarizes the wear behavior of ceramic particulate reinforced Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (Al-MMC). The influence of material factors such as type of ceramic reinforcement, size and volume fraction; mechanical parameters such as sliding velocity, sliding distance and applied load on the wear behavior of Al-MMC have been discussed. The reduction in wear rate due to formation of tribolayer between the contact surfaces has been reviewed in the current study.Literature revealed that uniform distribution of hard ceramic particles (B4C, SiC) and solid lubricants (Gr, MoS2, Boron Nitride) as hybrid reinforcements can adequately enhanced the wear behavior of mating surfaces. The study illustrates that Al-MMC exclusively hybrid MMC can be treated as preeminent material for design of brake discs, piston-cylinder arrangements which require high specific strength and wear resistance.