Wear Behaviour of Al-SiCp Metal Matrix Composites and Optimization Using Taguchi Method and Grey Relational Analysis

Shouvik Ghosh,Goutam Sutradhar,Prasanta Sahoo

doi:10.4236/jmmce.2012.1111115

Shouvik Ghosh, Goutam Sutradhar + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/jmmce.2012.1111115

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Abstract

Aluminium metal matrix composite is a relatively new material that has proved its position in automobile, aerospace and other engineering design applications due to its wear resistance and substantial hardness. Need for improved tribological performance has led to the design and selection of newer variants of the composite. The present investigation deals with the study of wear behaviour of Al-SiCp metal matrix composite for varying reinforcement content, applied load, sliding speed and time. Aluminium metal matrix composites reinforced with SiC particles are prepared by liquid metallurgy route using LM6 aluminium alloy and silicon carbide particles (size ~ 37 μm) by varying the weight fraction of SiC in the range of 5% - 10%. The material is synthesized by stir casting process in an electric melting furnace. The materials are then subjected to wear testing in a multitribotester using block on roller configuration. A plan of experiments based on L27 Taguchi orthogonal array is used to acquire the wear data in a controlled way. An analysis of variance is employed to investigate the influence of four controlling parameters, viz., SiC content, normal load, sliding speed and sliding time on dry sliding wear of the composites. It is observed that SiC content, sliding speed and normal load significantly affect the dry sliding wear. The optimal combination of the four controlling parameters is also obtained for minimum wear. The microstructure study of worn surfaces indicates nature of wear to be mostly abrasive.

Highlights

Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) synthesized by incorporating hard ceramic particles like Silicon Carbide (SiC)into aluminium alloys achieve good mechanical properties
The results suggested that with increase in volume fraction of reinforcement particle the wear rate increased but with gradual increase in applied load the wear rates decreased
The objective of the present investigation is to minimize wear for Al-SiC particulate metal matrix composite using

Summary

Introduction

Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) synthesized by incorporating hard ceramic particles like Silicon Carbide (SiC). Into aluminium alloys achieve good mechanical properties. These composites are both light weight and show good hardness property which qualifies it as structural material especially for wear resistant and weight critical applications. Such applications motivate researchers to study the wear behaviour of this category of metal matrix composites. Researchers in general consider the volume fraction of reinforcement silicon carbide in the range of 0% - 30%. Some researchers have used higher volume fraction in the range of 60% [1] and 10% - 40% [19,20]

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