Study on n-TiB2 particulates reinforced Al7075 nano composite for soil nail applications: mechanical, wear, and fracture characterizations

Stir casting was used to produce Al7075/n-TiB₂ composites with three distinct n-TiB₂ weight percentages: 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 %. The mechanical and tribological characteristics of Al7075/n-TiB₂ composites have been investigated in dry sliding situations. Evenly distributed dispersion of n-TiB₂ particulates and the strong interfacial interaction among the matrix as well as reinforcement are confirmed by the microstructural characterization. Composites with 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 % reinforced n-TiB₂ show the better mechanical properties when compared to base alloy. Fracture research revealed that n-TiB₂ reinforced aluminum matrix composites and non-reinforced aluminum alloy exhibited ductile expression in the form of dimples. Dry sliding wear assessments have been performed using pin-on-disc instruments. We measured the wear loss of the nano composites and found that the cumulative wear loss variation with n-TiB₂ is linear for each composite. According to the SEM examination of worn-out surfaces, oxidative wear is responsible for specimens that fall within the prescribed stress and sliding distance. The experiment demonstrates that wear loss decreases linearly with an increase in the weight percentage of titanium diboride nanoparticles. The obtained results show that the fabricated nano composites exhibit improved hardness of 14 %, tensile strength of 9 % and wear resistance of 20 % when compared to the base alloy.