Investigations on Mechanical Wear and Machining Characteristics of Tugsten Disulfide Particles Reinforced Bronze Matrix Composite

Abstract

Investigations on mechanical wear and machining characteristics of tungsten disulfide ws2 particles reinforced bronze matrix composites Scholar: Sangaravadivel P Supervisor: Dr.V.Krishnaraj Abstract: In this present work, an attempt is made to investigate the effect of tungsten disulfide (WS2) particles addition on mechanical, wear and machining characteristics of phosphor bronze. The composites are fabricated by stir casting technique with 4 %, 6 % and 8 % of WS2 particles. To confirm the uniform distribution of reinforcement phase, the microstructures of composites are analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The presence of WS2 particles and other ingredients in the composites are ensured by X-Ray Diffraction analysis. The mechanical properties such as hardness and flexural strength of composites are examined by Brinell hardness test and 3 point bending test respectively as per ASTM standard. The tribological characteristics of composites are examined by pin on disc test rig. The wear rate and frictional coefficient are evaluated as a function of applied load, sliding velocity, sliding distance and percentage of WS2 reinforcements. The wear surface morphology and wear mechanisms obtained on composite pins are analyzed by SEM and it is correlated with wear test results. Finally the study outlines that WS2 reinforced phosphor bronze self lubricating composites can be replaced for conventional worm wheel applications owing to better wear resistance and improved mechanical properties.