ABSTRACT
Aluminum hybrid composites are finding increased demand and usage in new aircraft designs and automotive industries due to their higher strength capabilities. In this work, an attempt has been made to utilize the red mud (bauxite residue) which is an industrial byproduct for value added applications. It is received from Nalco and reinforced aluminum with 2, 4, and 6% weight fractions of 100 μm and 42 nm red mud with 4% tungsten carbide (WC). The aluminum-red mud-tungsten carbide metal matrix hybrid composites are prepared by conventional sintering process. The chapter presents mechanical behavior such as hardness and wear properties of pure Al with red mud and WC at normal condition and heat treatment condition (350, 400, 450, and 500°C). A mathematical model is developed using regression 218analysis for the hardness and wear rate values of Al, red mud, and WC. The predicted equations are significant in nature with near-unity R-squared values. Nano-red-mud specimens have more hardness and wear resistance when compared with micronatured specimens. The wear resistance is more for 42 nm of 94% Al and 6% weight fraction of bauxite residue with pure aluminum and tungsten carbide at 600 rpm speed.
