Synthesis, Microstructure Investigation, Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour of the AA5083–WC Composite

Abstract

In this study, AA5083–WC composites were developed by ball milling followed by hot consolidation. The microstructures of the developed composites were investigated using XRD, SEM, EDX, and EBSD. The developed composites exhibited a homogeneous dispersion of WC particulates in the AA5083 matrix without any interactions at the matrix/reinforcement interface. The results confirmed the development of a refined equiaxed grain structure of AA5083–WC composites where the EBSD results revealed an average grain size of 4.38 µm and 3.32 µm for AA5083–6%WC (AW-6) and AA5083–12%WC (AW-12) composites, respectively. The results showed that incorporating WC particulates in the AA5083 alloy matrix significantly improved the compressive stress–strain behaviour and considerably enhanced the resistance to wear and friction. The AA5083–12%WC (AW-12) composite displayed the maximum strength and the highest resistance to wear and friction, whereas the as-milled AA5083 alloy (AW-0) exhibited the lowest strength and the least resistance to wear and friction. The AA5083–12%WC (AW-12) composite exhibited the optimum mechanical and tribological behaviour of the developed composites, making it a promising candidate for tribological applications.

Keywords

• AA5083–matrix composite
• tungsten carbide (WC)
• powder metallurgy
• microstructure characterization
• mechanical properties
• tribological behaviour