Microstructural, Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour of Aluminium Matrix Composites Reinforced with Spent Tea Leaves Ash

摘要

In the present study, spent tea leaves ash (TLA) reinforced in varied weight ratios (0, 1, 2, 3 wt.%) with aluminium were utilized to fabricate aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) using the powder metallurgy (PM) process. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniquewas utilized for micro-structural characterization. Density along porosity measurement, hardness and dry sliding wear performance were evalauated to characterize the developed composites. Wear measurement were carried out on Pin-on-Disk wear testing machine at different reinforcement ratiosof 1, 2, 3 wt.%, sliding distance of 300 m, 600 m, 900 m, loads of 10 N, 20 N, 30 N and sliding speed of 1.5 m/s, 2.0 m/s, 2.5 m/s to analyze the effect of these parameters. Taguchi's technique was used for planning of experiments to conduct experiments. Worn out surfaces of Al and Al-2%TLAcomposite were studied using SEM for predicting the contributions of TLA reinforcement on the wear mechanism.