Examination of Wear Properties in Dry-Sliding States of SIC Strengthened Al-Alloy Metal Matrix Composites by Using Taguchi Optimization Approach

摘要

The current work study is focused on fabrication of aluminum alloy AlMg0.7Si-SiC metal matrix composites and inspection of wear performances using taguchi optimization approach. AlMg0.7Si-SiC matrix composites are manufactured by liquid processing stir casting technique in a top loading electric resistance furnace. The AMCs are fabricated (having 37μm SiC particle size) in four different wt. fractions (0 wt%, 3.5 wt%, 7 wt% and 10.5 wt%). The experimental runs to analyze the wear performance are executed in accordance with L_9 taguchi design of experiment approach to obtain the wear data in a controlled manner. Effect of three control variables, viz,. % wt. of SiC, Load (N) and Sliding distance (m) on the wear rate and frictional force of the casted composites in unlubricated dry slippery conditions is examined by using pin-on-disc wear and friction monitor apparatus. ANOVA is also carried out to inspect the effect of three control factors on the dry slippery wear performance of the composites. Taguchi analysis revealed that % wt. SiC, Load (N), and Sliding distance (m) remarkably influenced the dry sliding wear performance of the casted composites. The optimal level of three control variables for minimum wear rate are also obtained on the basis of 'smaller the better'. The optical microscopic analysis and hardness testing of the casted composites is also carried out in this work.