ABRASIVE AND ADHESIVE WEAR CHARACTERISTICS OF ALUMINIUM BASED METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Abstract

Present investigation deals with wear property enhancement of Al-4.5%Cu-5%TiC insitu metal matrix composite (MMC) through friction stir processing (FSP). For the purpose of FSP of the said MMC, bimetallic tools with special wear resistant probe were used. The cast AI-4.5%Cu-5%TiC blocks were hot rolled to remove defects such as porosity and voids. The aforementioned hot rolled metal matrix composites was processed ensuring refinement of Al-4.5%Cu matrix and further refinement and redistribution of TiC reinforcement. The TiC reinforcement in the Al-4.5%Cu matrix is intended to enhance the abrasive wear resistance of metal matrix. The friction stir process of Al-4.5%Cu-5%TiC further enhanced the abrasive wear resistance. The comparative study in regards to the abrasive wear behaviour of the cast rolled Al- 4.5%Cu matrix, hot rolled Al-4.5%Cu-5%TiC, friction stir processed Al-4.5%Cu- 5%TiC hot rolled in-situ MMC was done. The result indicated enhanced wear resistance property of friction stir processed hot rolled Al-4.5%Cu-5%TiC in-situ MMC as compared to the base MMC and friction stir processes MMC without reinforcement. The adhesive wear property of the friction stir processes MMC was also investigated and it was observed that adhesive wear resistance of the MMC enhanced. A regression model was also developed to predict the effect of friction stir processing on tensile strength, hardness and wear resistance of MMC. The work established the suitability of friction stir processing to enhance the wear resistance property of Al-4.5%Cu-5%TiC in-situ MMC. The multi response optimization of abrasive wear for in-situ Al-4.5%Cu-5%TiC composites with friction stir processed with target weight loss, coefficient of friction, and ultimate tensile strength set at 0.068gm, 0.259, 203.52MPa respectively was achieved within extant variation of 4.43%. Similarly, the multi response optimization of abrasive wear for in-situ Al-4.5%Cu-5%TiC composites with friction stir processed with target weight loss, coefficient of friction, and ultimate tensile strength set at 0.005gm, 0.23, 21 7.6MPa respectively was achieved within extant variation of 7.39%.