Development and property evaluation of aluminum alloy reinforced with nano ZrO2 metal matrix composites NMMCs for automotive applications

Abstract

Aluminium metal matrix composites are the engineered newlinecombinations of two or more materials where good properties newlinewere achieved by systematic combinations of different constituents. newlineThe conventional monolithic materials have limitations in respect to newlineachievable combinations of strength, stiffness and density. The newlineEngineered metal matrix composites consisting of continuous or newlinediscontinuous fibers, whiskers or particles reinforced in a metal to newlineachieve high specific strength and specific modulus. Furthermore, newlinesystematic design and synthesis procedures allow unique newlinecombinations of engineering properties in composites like high newlineelevated temperature strength, fatigue strength, damping property, newlineelectrical and thermal conductivities, friction coefficient, wear newlineresistance and coefficient of thermal expansion. newlineThe mechanical components which are subjected to severe newlinewear, mainly due to sliding action, abrasive, erosion and erosioncorrosion. During the sliding action, the hard ceramic particles newlineprotrude from the composite surface and resist wear of the material. newlineThe sliding wear resistance of the composites with respect to that of newlinematrix material varies with the type of reinforcement and potency. newlineThe hard reinforcement particles in aluminium matrix protect the newlinematrix surface against the destructive action of the abrasive during newlinethe abrasive wear process. The wear resistance of the composite is newlineenhanced by the addition of hard reinforcement particles in the newlinematrix alloy. newline