MICROSTRUCTURE AND WEAR PROPERTIES OF ZIRCONIUM NANO METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

A356.1 Aluminium alloy reinforced with Nano - sized ZrO 2 particle are widely used for high performance applications such as automotive, military, aerospace, and electric industries because of their improved physical and mechanical properties. In this research, Zirconium Oxide (ZrO 2 ) Nano particle were synthesized by So lution C ombustion Synthesis process. Prepared Nano particles were characterized by Powder X - ray diffraction (PXRD ). Nano sized Zirconium Particle were reinforced with A356.1 Aluminium alloy with varying Wt. % such as 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 via stir casting Technique at a constant stirring speed of 150 rpm . The composites were then characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Wear tests were carried out at Varying Wt. % ratios with varying Conditions of Speed, L oad and Time. The results reveal that the Nano Metal Matrix Composite (NMMC)’s containing 3.5 Wt.% reinforcement particle has improved wear properties.