Research Projects

Solid lubricant-reinforced aluminium composites are an attractive option due to their potential for improved erosion resistance, low cost, and ease of manufacturing. In general, the development of solid lubricant-reinforced aluminium composites with improved erosion resistance shows great promise. However, research in this area is limited due to the challenges involved in selecting the appropriate solid lubricant and achieving optimal content. The mechanical properties of the aluminium matrix can also be affected by the incorporation of solid lubricants, making it essential to carefully consider their selection and distribution. Despite these challenges, the use of solid lubricant-reinforced aluminium composites is an attractive option due to their potential for improved erosion resistance, low cost, and ease of manufacturing. Further research is necessary to fully understand their performance, durability, and potential for large-scale manufacturing, but continued development may lead to significant advancements in their tribological performance and broader applications. Choosing the appropriate lubricant and controlling its amount and size is essential to achieve optimal hardness and strength in aluminium-based composites. Given the high demand for wear-resistant composites in aerospace applications, it is crucial to explore the impact of spark plasma sintered solid lubricant-reinforced aluminium matrix composites. In particular, the effect of sintering parameters such as pressure, temperature, and heating rate requires systematic investigation. Additionally, there is a need to study the influence of types of erodent on erosion performance, as well as the erosion behaviour of composites at elevated temperatures. Continued research and development in this area may lead to further improvements in their performance and applications. This study aims to prepare dense Al-based hybrid composites reinforced with various solid lubricants (graphene, expanded graphite, h-BN, WS2, MoS2, and TiB2) using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The appropriate mixing, ball milling, and spark plasma sintering conditions will be investigated to determine sinterability, microstructure, and phase evolution. The mechanical properties, including strength, ductility, hardness, and toughness, will be estimated. The sintered composites will be subjected to solid particle erosion tests using silica/SiC particles at different angles of impingement (30- 90 degree). The testing temperatures will also be varied from room temperature to 300 degree celsius to evaluate the temperature effect on erosion wear behaviour of these composites. The main focus of the investigation is to determine the dominant mechanisms of material removal when Al-based hybrid composites are subjected to varied erosion conditions.