Study of Mechanical and Sliding Wear Behavior of Al-25Zn alloy/SiC/Graphite Novel Hybrid Composites for Plain Bearing Application

Abstract

In this investigations, sliding wear performance of Al-25Zn based novel hybrid composites added with fixed weight percentage of graphite (3 wt.%) and varying weight percentage of silicon carbide (10, 20 and 30 wt.%) was investigated for various process factors such as specimen temperature, applied load, sliding speed and sliding distance using a pin on disc with EN24 disc as per Taguchi L16 array. For similar test conditions, the composite with 10 wt.% of silicon carbide shows the highest wear resistance and tensile strength; whereas the composite with 20 wt.% of SiC shows highest hardness. The specimen temperature is recognized as the dominating parameter for the sliding wear performance of the materials. Artificial Neural network and Regression model developed was found competent for the forecasting of wear performance. Confirmation experiment conducted with the optimum parameter combination also confirmed the accuracy of developed model. The observed wear mechanism is abrasion and adhesion. The major mechanisms of abrasive wear are recognized as ploughing, micro cutting and delamination.

Pin Temperature and Al2O3 Fillings Effect on Sliding Wear Characteristics of Al–25Zn/Al2O3 Composites

“…1 Aluminum alloy-based composites attract researchers because of enhanced properties such as excellent strength to weight ratio, light density, excellent wear resistance, and corrosion resistance compared to single-phase reinforced composites. [2][3][4][5] Aluminum alloys comprising 19-27 wt% of zinc are unique alloys for bearings 6 and are also used to manufacture vehicle parts, which require wear resistance and self-lubrication properties. 7 Because of good fatigue strength, aluminum-zinc alloys are suggested for sliding bearing application under dynamic and static loading.…”

“…There is an attractive possibility of improving the high-temperature properties of Al-25Zn alloy by reinforcing hard ceramic particles such as SiC, graphite, Al 2 O 3 , glass fiber, garnet, titanium dioxide, zircon, B 4 C, and molybdenum disulfide; however, very few investigations have been reported on the same. [2][3][4][5][13][14][15] In the studied literature, reinforcement of Al 2 O 3 into selected Al-25Zn alloy is rarely seen. However, most researchers added Al 2 O 3 into Al base and Zn base material/alloy in the range of 0-8 wt%; hence, this investigation aimed to study Al-25Zn composites strengthened with the various weight percentages of Al 2 O 3 to offer better substitutes for present bearing materials and other applications.…”