Optimization of tribological properties of aluminum hybrid composites using Taguchi design

Abstract

This paper analyses the influence of graphite reinforcement, load and sliding speed with constant sliding distance on tribological behavior of A356 aluminum matrix composites reinforced with 10 wt.% silicon carbide and graphite using the Taguchi design. Hybrid composites were produced in the compo-casting process. Tribological tests were performed on a block-on-disc tribometer where the weight percentage of graphite has three variations (0, 3, and 5), as well as load (10 N, 20 N, and 30 N) and sliding speed (0.25 m/s, 0.5 m/s, and 1 m/s), with sliding distance of 300 m. The wear of the composite is investigated under dry sliding condition. The specific wear rate was analyzed using Taguchi method with the aim of finding the optimal parameters. By applying analysis of variance, it was determined that the best tribological properties has A356/10SiC/3Gr hybrid composite. It was also found that the greatest impact on specific wear rate has load with the percentage effect of 69.163%, then sliding speed with 14.426% and the interaction between wt.% graphite and load. The dominant wear mechanism is adhesive wear as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS).