Purpose This study aims to present a novel methodology for the evaluation of tribological properties of new nanocomposites with the A356 alloy matrix reinforced with aluminium oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles. Design/methodology/approach Metal matrix nanocomposites (MMnCs) with varying amounts and sizes of Al2O3 particles were produced using a compocasting process. The influence of four factors, with different levels, on the wear rate, was analysed with the help of the design of experiments (DoE). A regression model was developed by using the response surface methodology (RSM) to establish a relationship between the observed factors and the wear rate. An artificial neural network was also applied to predict the value of wear rate. Adequacy of models was compared with experimental values. The extreme values of wear rate were determined with a genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization using the RSM model. Findings The combination of optimization methods determined the values of the factors which provide the highest wear resistance, namely, reinforcement content of 0.44 wt.% Al2O3, sliding speed of 1 m/s, normal load of 100 N and particle size of 100 nm. Used methods proved as effective tools for modelling and predicting of the behaviour of aluminium matrix nanocomposites. Originality/value The specific combinations of the optimization methods has not been applied up to now in the investigation of MMnCs. In addition, using of small content of ceramic nanoparticles as reinforcement has been poorly investigated. It can be stated that the presented approach for testing and prediction of the wear rate of nanocomposites is a very good base for their future research.

In this paper is presented the tribological behavior of A356-based aluminum composites using Taguchi design. Testing of tribological characteristics of aluminum composites was done on a tribometer with block on disc contact geometry. Composite materials were obtained by compocasting. The orthogonal matrix L18 is used to form the experimental design using the Taguchi method. The tribological characteristics of the aluminum composite reinforced with SiC (A356/10 wt.% SiC) were compared to the base material A356 for three sliding speeds (0.25 m/s; 0.5 m/s and 1.0 m/s), three values of normal load (10 N, 20 N and 30 N) and sliding distance of 150 m under lubrication conditions. ANOVA analysis showed that the least wear has a composite material at a load of 10 N and at sliding speed of 0.25 m/s.

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