Synthesis and wear characterization of Al7075/molybdenum disulfide/zirconium diboride hybrid composites

Abstract The manuscript presents the synthesis and dry sliding wear performance of Al7075 alloy‐based composites. Five compositions namely Al7075 alloy, Al7075+3 vol % molybdenum disulfide, Al7075+3 vol % molybdenum disulfide+3 vol % zirconium diboride, Al7075+3 vol % molybdenum disulfide+6 vol % zirconium diboride and Al7075+3 vol % molybdenum disulfide+9 vol % zirconium diboride were stir cast and characterized for hardness, x‐ray diffraction, microstructure, and tribological properties. In‐situ formed zirconium diboride particles increase the hardness of Al7075 alloy whereas molybdenum disulfide shows the opposite trend due to its self‐lubricating nature. X‐ray diffraction analysis identifies subsequent phase particles in the matrix while microstructural images exhibit the dispersion and morphology of reinforcement particles. The wear tests and friction coefficient were analyzed with variations of sliding velocity, normal load, sliding distance, and compositions. Further, the obtained wear results were also correlated with microstructure and wear surface topography. Al7075+3 vol % molybdenum disulfide composite shows the lowest coefficient of friction because of its self‐lubricating nature. Al7075+3 vol % molybdenum disulfide+9 vol % zirconium diboride hybrid composite exhibits the lowest wear rate at high velocity as well as at high load and can be potentially used in manufacturing and tribological applications. Moreover, the use of this material may lead to the minimum requirement of external toxic lubricants that make it cost‐effective and environmentally sustainable.