Optimization of Load and HBN Content for Improving Tribological Performance of a Si3n4-HBN Ceramic Composite Using Taguchi-Grey Relational Analysis

Abstract

Silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) is common in various industrial applications and proven its applicability with its high fracture toughness, strength and wear properties. The material has a proven capability in the biomedical field in the context of orthopedic applications. This paper reports the experimental and Taguchi based grey relational analysis for the tribological behavior of Si 3 N 4 -hBN ceramic composite sliding against steel (ASTM 316L) in the dry condition. The wear tests were conducted with 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 % volume of hBN in Si 3 N 4 at loading conditions in the range 5N < Load < 25N, with 5N increments using Pin-on-Disc (PoD) tribometer. A weighted grey relational grade is calculated for minimization of volumetric wear rate and coefficient of friction with aim of improving tribological performance of Si 3 N 4 -hBN ceramic composite applicable for various industrial and biomedical applications. Load and % volume of hBN addition are two factors considered for optimization. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) presented % vol of hBN is significant factor followed by load. In the Si 3 N 4 -hBN / steel contact pair, the main phenomenon of wear observed was an adhesive type of wear at both low load and at high load.

Effect of Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3) Nanoparticles Addition into Lubricating Oil on Tribological Performance

“…Grey relational analysis helps to convert multiple response problems into a single response problem using Grey relational grade. Numbers of researchers have successfully used integrated Taguchi-Grey approach in the field of tribological study [31][32][33]. Grey relational analysis applied to convert two output characteristic into a single numerical score to obtain the optimal combination of load and %wt.…”

“…The optimization of multiple outputs characteristic is easily possible with grey relational analysis. Grey relational analysis is used to convert multiple outputs into one numerical score and then decide the optimal combination of the parameter using this score [31]. In this study, we implemented Taguchi orthogonal array to plan experiments and grey relational analysis implemented to analyze the experimental results for obtaining an optimal combination of carbon nanotube additive and load for minimizing wear scar diameter and coefficient of friction.…”