International Journal of Advanced Engineering Application

Tribological Behaviour, Mechanical Performance and Microstructural Characterisation of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube and Silicon Carbide Reinforced Al6061 Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites Fabricated by Stir Casting

Author(s):Ramesh Kumar Venkataraman

Affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh ,India

Page No: 78-83

Volume issue & Publishing Year: Volume 3, Issue 6, 2026/06/11

Journal: International Journal of Advanced Engineering Application (IJAEA)

ISSN NO: 3048-6807

DOI:

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Abstract:
Aluminium 6061 (Al6061) metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) offer a compelling combination of reduced density, enhanced stiffness, and improved tribological performance suited to automotive and aerospace structural components. However, the agglomeration of MWCNTs at weight fractions exceeding 2 wt% critically limits property enhancement, motivating hybrid composite designs incorporating complementary ceramic reinforcements. This study investigates the tribological and mechanical properties of Al6061-based hybrid MMCs reinforced with MWCNTs (1–3 wt%) and silicon carbide particulates (SiC, 4–6 wt%) fabricated by the stir casting route. Six compositions were evaluated: base alloy, three MWCNT-only variants, and two hybrid MWCNT+SiC compositions. Properties characterised include Vickers hardness, ultimate tensile strength, elongation to fracture, dry-sliding wear rate (pin-on-disc, 10–40 N load, 1–3 m/s velocity), coefficient of friction (CoF), and SEM/EDS worn surface analysis. The Al6061-2C-6S hybrid (2 wt% MWCNT + 6 wt% SiC) achieves the lowest wear rate of 2.31×10⁻³ mm³/Nm — a 52% reduction versus the base alloy — and CoF of 0.41, with hardness 91.2 HV and UTS 268 MPa. SEM worn-surface analysis reveals a continuous lubricious tribolayer in hybrid specimens attributed to MWCNT-derived graphitisation under frictional heating. ANOVA confirms reinforcement weight fraction as the dominant factor governing wear rate (contribution ratio 58.4%), followed by applied load (24.1%) and sliding velocity (11.7%).

Keywords: aluminium metal matrix composites, MWCNT, silicon carbide, stir casting, tribology, wear rate, coefficient of friction, SEM, ANOVA, hybrid MMC, Al6061

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