OPTIMIZATION AND ANALYSIS OF DRY SLIDING WEAR BEHAVIOR OF STIR CASTED AlSi6Cu4-TiO2 COMPOSITE USING CENTRAL COMPOSITE DESIGN

The present research paperfocusses on manufacture of AlSi6Cu4-3 wt.% TiO2 metal matrix composite (MMC) through liquid metallurgy route, and the manufactured composites are tested for their dry sliding wear behavior using response surface methodology (RSM). The extensive microstructural investigation is carried out to examine the dispersion of Titania particles, its bonding ability, and embedment characteristics with the matrix. The wear rate on the developed MMC is investigated and predicted using regression model. Further, the confirmation test is conducted to validate the model. The microstructures of the composite had revealed that TiO2 particles are dispersed in the Al matrix. Further, the surface plots show that the wear rate started to vary linearly with the function of load whereas the wear rate starts to vary nonlinearly with the function of the sliding velocity and the sliding distance. In addition, the worn surfaces were investigated through the scanning electron microscope which addressed the wear mechanisms and revealed that TiO2 particles enhance the wear performance of aluminum alloy by a reduction in material removal at all wear conditions.