Surface properties enhancements by optimizing synthesizing parameters of AA8026 + Zr2O3/TiO2 hybrid composite

Abstract

Aluminium alloy is one of the widely used lightweight materials and is utilized in the production of a wide variety of components. The AA8026 properties enhancements through optimizing the synthesizing parameters through the Taguchi route is the aim of this investigation. Thereby establishing control over the stir casting process to alter the wear and microhardness of AA8026 aluminium alloy by hybrid reinforcement. There were 16 samples of AA8026 + Zr2O3/TiO2 composite prepared as per Taguchi L16 orthogonal array. The process parameters varied four levels such as stirring time from 15 min to 30 min, quantity of reinforcement from 3 wt% to 12 wt%, molten temperature from 750 °C to 900 °C, and stirring speed from 450 rpm to 600 rpm. The fabricated samples are investigated for microhardness and wear properties. From the analysis, it is inferred that stirring speed is highly influenced by wear and microhardness properties. The results exemplify that 0.086 mm3/m was minimum wear and 180.2 HV was maximum microhardness achieved.

Keywords

• AA8026
• Stir casting process
• Zr2O3
• TiO2, wear
• Microhardness