WEAR PROPERTIES OF SIC AND WC AS REINFORCEMENTS INTO ALUMINUM METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES (Al-MMCs) VIA POWDER METALLURGY

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical and tribological performance of aluminum metal matrix composites (Al-MMCs) reinforced with 8 wt.% silicon carbide (SiC), 8 wt.% tungsten carbide (WC), and a hybrid combination of 8 wt.% SiC + 8 wt.% WC, fabricated using powder metallurgy. The composites were evaluated for hardness, compressive strength, wear resistance, and coefficient of friction (COF), supported by microstructural and phase analyses using SEM and XRD. Results revealed that SiC reinforcement enhanced hardness and wear resistance through grain refinement and dislocation blocking, while WC contributed to improved erosion resistance and toughness. The hybrid composite exhibited synergistic effects, achieving the highest hardness), compressive strength), and lowest wear rate and COF SEM confirmed uniform particle dispersion and refined grain structure, while XRD indicated phase stability without intermetallic formation. These findings demonstrate that dual reinforcement via powder metallurgy significantly improves the structural integrity and tribological behavior of Al-MMCs, making them suitable for high-performance applications in aerospace, automotive, and marine environments.