Wear performance optimization of stir cast Al-TiB2 metal matrix composites using Taguchi design of experiments

Abstract

The present study outlines the use of Taguchi parameter design to minimize the wear performance of Al-TiB2 metal matrix composites by optimizing tribological process parameters. Different weight percentages of micro-TiB2 powders with average sizes of 5-40 micron are incorporated into molten LM4 aluminium matrix by stir casting method. The wear performance of Al-TiB2 composites is evaluated in a block-on-roller type Multitribo tester at room temperature. Three parameters viz. weight percentage of TiB2, load and speed are considered with three levels each at the time of experiment. A L27 orthogonal array is used to carry out experiments accommodating all the factors and their levels including their interaction effects. Optimal combination of parameters for wear performance is obtained by Taguchi analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to find out percentage contribution of each parameter and their interaction also on wear performance. Weight percentage of TiB2 is forced to be the most effective parameter in controlling wear behaviour of Al-TiB2 metal matrix composite.