Effects of reinforcements content and ageing durations on wear characteristics of Al (6061) based hybrid composites

This technical paper describes the abrasive wear rate of as-cast and heat-treated Al (6061) alloy reinforced with 9% by weight of SiC particulate and 0, 1, 3 and 5% by weight of E-glass fibre subjected to different ageing durations. The liquid melt technique route is used to produce the castings. Castings were machined to the ASTM standards and T6 heat-treatment process is carried out. All the specimens were artificially aged to different durations like 1, 3, 5 and 7 h at a temperature of 175 °C. Wear tests were performed on various composites in both the heat-treated and as-cast conditions using pin-on-disc machine. In each test the wear rates of the hybrid composites were found to decrease with increase in ageing durations. However, in both as-cast and heat-treated hybrid composites, the wear rate increased with increase in the sliding distance.