COMPRESSIVE AND TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF AL2O3 FIBER AND HEXAGONAL BN PARTICLE HYBRID REINFORCED AL-SI ALLOYS

Al2O3 fibre-hexagonal BN particle hybrid reinforced aluminium-silicon alloys were fabricated by centrifugal force infiltration route. Hardne ss test and ultimate compressive test results are reported. The wear a nd friction properties of hybrid MMCs was investigated by means of a b lock-on-ring (bearing steel) type wear rig in a dry sliding condition. It is shown that the hardness and ultimate compressive strength of hy brid MMCs was evidently decreased with the addition of hexagonal BN pa rticles, however, the wear rate and coefficient of friction of hybrid MMCs was improved simultaneously with increase of BN particle volume f raction, especially for the higher applied loads in the test.