On Investigating the Microstructural, Mechanical, and Tribological Properties of Hybrid FeGr1/SiC/Gr Metal Matrix Composites.

In recent years, studies of different properties of hybrid metal matrix composites, as well as very detailed issues, have been published. In this article, ready-made iron, graphite, and silicon carbide powders were used to produce the base material and composites. An analysis of some microstructural and mechanical properties, as well as the tribological behavior of metal matrix composites (MMCs), based on FeGr1 sintered material with the single and hybrid addition of a silicon carbide and graphite was undertaken. During the study, the flexural and compressive strength of MMCs were analyzed and changes of the momentary coefficient of friction, the temperature of friction, as well as wear rates of the MMCs tested were monitored. Based on the results, it was revealed that wear rates decreased 12-fold in comparison to the base material when SiC or SiC + Gr were added. Further research into MMCs with ceramic particle additives is proposed.

On the Microstructure, Strength, Fracture, and Tribological Properties of Iron-Based MMCs with Addition of Mixed Carbide Nanoparticulates.

In this paper, the features of the strength, fractures, and tribological behavior of metal-matrix composites based on the FeGr1 material are discussed. To improve the material properties, a mixture of SiC, Al2O3 and C nanoparticulates have been added to an iron-based matrix. The simplex lattice design method and hardness, compression, and bending tests were used to determine the mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy was applied for fracture features analysis. Different fracture types, mainly trans-crystalline quasi-brittle and brittle fracture or inter-granular fracture and microcracks were registered for the composites tested. Depending on the type and amount of ceramic additives, significant changes in strength, as well as in the fracture features of the metal-matrix composites (MMCs), were observed. Based on tribological tests, changes in the momentary coefficients of friction, temperature of the friction surface, and wear rate of the composites with nanoparticulates were described. An analysis of the worn surface morphology revealed changes in the wear process depending on the MMC composition. It was shown that the use of hybrid mixed additives based on hard ceramic nanoparticulates improved both strength and tribological properties of composites.