Wear behavior investigation of Al-B4C functionally graded composite through Taguchi's design of experiment
Rupesh Kumar Verma, Deepak Patel, Manoj Chopkar
Abstract
The present study intends to evaluate the influences of load, velocity, and sliding distance on the tribological attributes of Al6061–7.5 wt%B4C functionally graded composite material (FGCM) utilizing Taguchi's approach. The horizontal centrifugal casting following the stir casting was employed to produce the FGCM A continuous gradient distribution of reinforced B4C particles with volume fractions of 15.3%, 9.6%, 7.7%, 5.3%, and 0.5% was noticed from the FGCM structure's outside to the inner zone. Archimedes' principle revealed density and porosity decrement with increasing B4C content from the inner to outer zone. Also, the increase in hardness was observed towards the inner region. Wear tests were performed on various regions of FGCM, i.e., outer, middle, and inner, which were examined individually and analyzed by comparing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy dispersive spectrums (EDS). FGCM zones (outer, middle and inner), normal loads (10, 20, and 30 N), sliding velocities (1, 2, and 3 m/s), and sliding distances (600, 1200, and 1800 m) are the parameters investigated in this wear analysis.