Wear analysis of Al 5052 alloy with varying percentage of tungsten carbide

Abstract

Aluminium 5052 have its various applications in aerospace, fencing, hydraulic tubes and marine components due to their high dimensional stability, light in weight, high strength to weight ratio, economic and elevated stiffness. Since Aluminium alloy (Al 5052) has its application in aerospace and marine industries, its wear properties have to be improved further for better life of the components in its applications. Literature study reveals that studies were not carried out for Al 5052 alloy for improving its wear behaviour. Tungsten carbide (WC) normally used for manufacturing wear-resistant tools, cutting tools, protective coatings and carbide steel because of its wear resistance properties. In this research the wear behaviour of Al 5052 alloy analysed by reinforcing with varying weight percentage of tungsten carbide (1%, 3 %, 5%) fabricated using stir casting process. Taguchi L27 orthogonal array were used to conduct the experiment. Dry sliding wear behaviour is performed by means of Pin-on-disc wear testing apparatus. The process parameters are composition, Speed, Load, Sliding distance and the responses are Coefficient of Friction (CoF) and specific wear rate. Taguchi Signal-to-Noise ratio was carried out to determine best optimal combination to minimize the Coefficient of Friction (CoF) and specific wear rate. From the result it is seen that 5% of tungsten carbide reinforcement gives lower Coefficient of Friction (CoF) and specific wear rate at various parametric condition. To identify the wear track Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis were made and it is analysed that the lesser wear is seen in Al5052 reinforced with 5% of tungsten carbide with constant input parameter. From experiment, the Tungsten carbide improves wear resistance property of Al 5052 alloy with the increase in weight percentage of reinforcement.