Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Aluminum Alloy LM۱۳ Reinforced with Titanium Dioxide Metal Matrix Composites

In the present research work physical, mechanical and tribological behavior of Aluminum (Al) alloy LM۱۳ reinforced with Nano-sized Titanium Dioxide (TiO۲) particulates were fabricated, mechanical and tribological properties were investigated. The amount of nano TiO۲ particulates in the composite was added from ۰.۵% to ۲% in ۰.۵ weight percent (wt %) increments. The Al-LM۱۳-TiO۲ Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) were prepared through the liquid metallurgical method by following the stir casting process. The different types of Al LM۱۳-TiO۲ specimens were prepared for conduction of Physical, Mechanical, and Tribological characteristics by ASTM standards. Microstructural images, hardness, tensile, and wear test results were used to evaluate the effect of TiO۲ addition to Al LM۱۳. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) were used to examine the microstructure and distribution of particulates in the matrix alloy. In the Al LM۱۳ matrix, microstructure analysis indicates a consistent distribution of reinforced nanoparticles. The attributes of the MMCs, including density, hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance, were improved by adding up to ۱ wt% TiO۲. Fractured surfaces of tensile test specimens were studied using SEM pictures.  The standard pin-on-disc tribometer device was used to conduct the wear experiments; the tribological characteristics of unreinforced matrix and TiO۲ reinforced composites were investigated. The composites’ wear resistance was increased by adding up to ۱ wt% of TiO۲.  The wear height loss of Al LM۱۳-TiO۲ composite increased when the sliding distance and applied load were increased. Overall, the Al LM۱۳ with one wt% of TiO۲ MMCs showed excellent Physical, Mechanical and Tribological characteristics among all the percentages considered in the present study.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aluminum alloy LM۱۳ ، TiO۲ ، Density ، Hardness ، Wear.