Mathematical Model Development to Predict Wear Rate of Al6061/TiC<sub>p</sub> Composites under Lubricant

Abstract

Aluminium matrix composites are mostly used in aerospace and automobile industries due to their improved properties such as hardness, strength, wear resistance combined with considerable weight savings over unreinforced alloys. This paper reports the lubricated wear behavior of Al6061composites reinforced with titanium carbide particles fabricated by stir casting route. The experiments were conducted using central composite rotatable design method. The wear test was performed on the pin on disc machine where aluminium composite pins were rubbed against EN31 steel discs in the presence lubricant. A mathematical model has been developed by response surface methodology. The validity of the developed model was checked by Analysis of variance method. The experimental results revealed that the addition of lubricant at the contact surface reduced wear rate of the composite.