EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF WEAR BEHAVIOR OF Al 8011/FLY ASH/B₄C HYBRID METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE

Abstract

Composite materials are combinations of distinct materials, engineered to create new materials with specific properties. Stir-casting method is used to prepare composites, it involves heating Aluminium Alloy (Al 8011) reinforced with B4C (Boron Carbide) and fly ash at 5, 10, and 15[Formula: see text]vol.%. The molten material is poured into a die to prepare the samples for testing. The composite’s density is measured by the principle of Archimedes, which decreases as the reinforcing particles increase, and then density and porosity are compared. The wear test specimen was prepared as per standard. The design model is generated by applying the RSM (Response Surface Methodology) equation with various parameters like load, sliding velocity of the pin, and track distance with values of 1–2[Formula: see text]kg, 1.5–2.5[Formula: see text]m/s, and 1000–3000[Formula: see text]m, respectively. The developed ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) result suggests that the created model is significant. The validation test was run and the results showed mean value of 0.0021356 and this value is in the 95% prediction range. The SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) images of wear-tested composite show the delamination layers and deep groves. EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) is used with electron microscopes to determine the chemical composition of wear out specimens. By the end of this study, it is discovered that the wear rate lowers with increasing reinforcement percentage while increasing with load and sliding velocity.