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Purpose This research aims to describe the influence of weight per cent of graphite (Gr), applied load and sliding speed on the wear behavior of aluminum (Al) alloy A356 reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) (10 Wt.%) and Gr (1 Wt.% and 5 Wt.%) particles. The objective is to analyze the effect of the aforementioned parameters on a specific wear rate. Design/methodology/approach These hybrid composites are obtained by means of the compo-casting process. Tribological analyses were conducted on block-on-disc tribometer at three different loads (10, 20 and 30 N) and three different sliding speeds (0.25, 0.5 and 1 m/s), at the sliding distance of 900 m, in dry sliding wear conditions. Optimization of the tribological behavior was conducted via the Taguchi method, and ANOVA was used for the analysis of the specific wear rate. Confirmation tests are used to foresee and check the experimental results. Examined samples were analyzed via a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Regression models for predicting specific wear rate were developed with Taguchi and ANN (artificial neural network) methods. Findings The biggest impact on value of specific wear rate has the load (43.006%), while the impact of Wt.% Gr (31.514%) was less. After comparison of the results, i.e. regression models, for predicting the specific wear rate, it was observed that ANN was more efficient than the Taguchi method. The specific wear rate of Al alloy A356 with SiC (10 Wt.%) and Gr (1 Wt.% and 5 Wt.%) decreases with a decrease in the load and weight per cent of Gr-reinforcing material, as well as with a decrease in sliding speed. Originality/value The results obtained in this paper using the Taguchi method and the ANN method are useful for improving and further investigating the wear behavior of the SiC- and Gr-reinforced Al alloy A356.

Surface texturing is one of the surface modification techniques which deliberately change the texture of the surface, in order to improve, among other things, its tribological performance. This is obtained through different patterns, which can be on micro or nano scale, created on the contact surfaces. The performance of a textured surface depends on the shape, geometry and pattern of the surface texture and the operating condition of the components in contact. There is a number of various techniques for surface texturing, among which laser surface texturing is most often used. The different surface texture shapes, different textured area ratios and patterns, different lubrication regimes with different contact geometries and materials have been subject of theoretical and experimental research for many years. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of researches that consider various surface texturing for tribological application, as well as its effect on performance enhancement. Conclusions of this paper may provide guidance for optimal design of surface textures in practical engineering applications.

The development of new lightweight and strong materials and the design of new products are among the key elements for the development of new advanced construction and vehicle parts for the automotive industry. The use of composite materials in the automotive industry has been popular in recent decades due to the need to reduce vehicle weight, which directly affects fuel consumption and exhaust gases emission. In this way, the development of improved new materials with improved performance is accomplished. Nanocomposites represent a new class of materials that has excellent thermal and mechanical properties. The application of nanocomposites for development of automotive components is reflected in the improvement of the production rate, environmental and thermal stability, and the reduction in weight in the automotive industry, less wear parts, and indirectly to reduce CO 2 emissions and environmental pollution. This research paper presents a review of the application of nanocomposites (metal, ceramic and polymeric) in the automotive industry.

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