Effect of Shot-Peening Process and Nanoparticle-Added Lubricant on the Tribological Performance of Aluminium-Based Sliding Bearing Material

In this study, it is aimed to increase the wear and fatigue performance of aluminium-based sliding bearing material by using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) added lubricant and shot-peening process. The main purpose is to minimise the wear of the bearing material by penetrating AgNPs added lubricants into the rough surfaces formed by shot peening. Almen intensity, coverage and shot size parameters in the shot-peening process were analysed in terms of hardness, surface roughness and fatigue strength. The shot-peened aluminium bronze was subjected to wear experiments under dry, pure water and AgNPs added lubricant conditions. The wear test results were analysed in terms of friction coefficient, wear volume and surface roughness parameters, and the interaction of lubricant and shot-peening parameters was evaluated. According to the results of the shot-peening experiments, the Almen intensity was the most effective parameter in terms of hardness and surface roughness (91.62%). It was concluded that the hardness value was 8% higher at high Almen (12–14A) intensity compared with low Almen intensities, and the shot-peening process could increase the fatigue strength by ~21 times. According to the wear tests, the most effective parameters were 4–6 Almen intensity and AgNP-added lubricant.