Tribological characterisation of 6061 aluminium alloy reinforced with submicron alumina particle under solid lubrication at room temperature

The tribological behaviour of aluminium (Al) 6061 alloy reinforced with 20% submicron (0.7 µm) alumina (Al2O3) particles has been investigated at room temperature under solid lubricated conditions of graphite and molybdenum disulphide (MoS2). Pin-on-disc wear tests were carried out at various stresses, with the composite pin sliding against an AISI 4041 steel counterface disc. At room temperature and under low and moderate loads, graphite proved to be effective in reducing wear rate by a factor of 6 and coefficient of friction from 0.50 ± 0.01 to 0.20 ± 0.01. Under MoS2 lubrication, the wear rate and coefficient of friction were significantly reduced at all tested loads (5 to 110 N), indicating that MoS2 is an effective lubricant in reducing wear rate by a factor of 40 and coefficient of friction from 0.50 ± 0.01 to 0.06 ± 0.01 for the composite at all loads.