Microstructural, Tribology and Corrosion Properties of Optimized Fe₃O₄-SiC Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Hybrid Nano Filler Composite Fabricated through Powder Metallurgy Method

• Main Authors: Negin Ashrafi, M. A. Azmah Hanim, Masoud Sarraf, S. Sulaiman, T. S. Hong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: aluminum matrix composite; hybrid composite; corrosion rate; tribology; Fe₃O₄-SiC
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/18/4090

Hybrid reinforcement’s novel composite (Al-Fe₃O₄-SiC) via powder metallurgy method was successfully fabricated. In this study, the aim was to define the influence of SiC-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on microstructure, mechanical, tribology, and corrosion properties of the composite. Various researchers confirmed that aluminum matrix composite (AMC) is an excellent multifunctional lightweight material with remarkable properties. However, to improve the wear resistance in high-performance tribological application, hardening and developing corrosion resistance was needed; thus, an optimized hybrid reinforcement of particulates (SiC-Fe₃O₄) into an aluminum matrix was explored. Based on obtained results, the density and hardness were 2.69 g/cm³, 91 HV for Al-30Fe₃O₄-20SiC, after the sintering process. Coefficient of friction (COF) was decreased after adding Fe₃O₄ and SiC hybrid composite in tribology behaviors, and the lowest COF was 0.412 for Al-30Fe₃O₄-20SiC. The corrosion protection efficiency increased from 88.07%, 90.91%, and 99.83% for Al-30Fe₃O₄, Al-15Fe₃O₄-30SiC, and Al-30Fe₃O₄-20SiC samples, respectively. Hence, the addition of this reinforcement (Al-Fe₃O₄-SiC) to the composite shows a positive outcome toward corrosion resistance (lower corrosion rate), in order to increase the durability and life span of material during operation. The accomplished results indicated that, by increasing the weight percentage of SiC-Fe₃O₄, it had improved the mechanical properties, tribology, and corrosion resistance in aluminum matrix. After comparing all samples, we then selected Al-30Fe₃O₄-20SiC as an optimized composite.