Mechanical and Metallurgical Characterization of Al-6061 HMMC with SiC<sub>p</sub> and Graphite<sub>p</sub> as a Reinforcement

Abstract

The present investigation considers an experimental study of wear analysis of Al-6061 HMMC with SiCp & Graphitep as a reinforcement & optimization of wear testing parameters based on the Taguchi technique coupled with Linear Regression analysis. A Linear Regression Equation obtained from regression analysis is used as a confirmation test, for the optimum testing parameters that are obtained to get the minimum wear rate and maximum Co-efficient of Friction of Al-6061 HMMC. The wear rate experiments are carried out by utilizing the combinations of tribological testing parameters based on the L9 Taguchi OA with four testing parameters of namely applied load, Speed, Track diameter and % of reinforcement. The three materials, Al-6061 HMMC are developed by reinforcing Al-6061 aluminium alloy with different (3, 5 & 7) % of weight fraction (SiCp+Graphitep), particulates of size (<30m) in an electric crucible melting furnace. It is observed that sliding velocity has a significant contribution in controlling the friction and wear behaviour of Al-6061 HMMC (SiCp+Graphitep). A confirmation test is carried out to verify the results obtained through the optimization technique. In addition to above tests, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis, Elemental Characterization can be achieved by using of EDAX (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscope), Surface Roughness is performed on the specimens to study the uniform dispersion of particulate matter, along with hardness test.