Synthesis, Microstructure Investigation, Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour of the AA5083-WC Composite

In this study, AA5083-WC composites were developed by ball milling followed by hot consolidation. The microstructures of the developed composites were investigated using XRD, SEM, EDX, and EBSD. The developed composites exhibited a homogeneous dispersion of WC particulates in the AA5083 matrix without any interactions at the matrix/reinforcement interface. The results confirmed the development of a refined equiaxed grain structure of AA5083-WC composites where the EBSD results revealed an average grain size of 4.38 µm and 3.32 µm for AA5083-6%WC (AW-6) and AA5083-12%WC (AW-12) composites, respectively. The results showed that incorporating WC particulates in the AA5083 alloy matrix significantly improved the compressive stress-strain behaviour and considerably enhanced the resistance to wear and friction. The AA5083-12%WC (AW-12) composite displayed the maximum strength and the highest resistance to wear and friction, whereas the as-milled AA5083 alloy (AW-0) exhibited the lowest strength and the least resistance to wear and friction. The AA5083-12%WC (AW-12) composite exhibited the optimum mechanical and tribological behaviour of the developed composites, making it a promising candidate for tribological applications.