Aluminium matrix composites are replacing aluminium alloys and the replacement is mainly attributed to their improved mechanical and tribological properties. Hybrid composites (composites with multiple reinforcements) are of recent application owing to betterment of the mechanical and tribological properties over single reinforced composites. Studies on these composites are limited to a few investigations and all such investigations are on tribological behaviour of hybrid composites with higher percentage of reinforcements. This investigation focuses on the tribological behaviour of aluminium matrix hybrid composites. Wear tests have been carried out on pin-on-disc equipment to study the influence of load, sliding speed and sliding distance on composite specimens with % reinforcement of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% with equal weight percentage of silicon carbide and graphite particulates. Parametric studies based on design of experiments (DOE) techniques indicate that as the % reinforcement increases wear decreases up to 7.5% and a tendency to increase beyond 7.5%. Load and sliding distance show a positive influence on wear whereas speed shows a negative influence. A mathematical model to predict the wear of the composite is also presented.

Keywords: Hybrid composites, Design of experiments, Mathematical model.