Investigation on the Mechanical and Wear Behaviour of Al-6082-BN-B4C-Corn Cob Ash Hybrid Composites

Abstract

This study comparatively investigates the rotational dry sliding wear behaviour of hybrid ceramic reinforced AA6082/3wt.%Boron Nitride (BN)/4wt.%Boron Carbide (B4C) stir cast composite against its alloy by varying weight percentage (2, 4 and 6 wt.%) of Corn Cob Ash. Maximum hardness (70.7 BHN) and impact strength (32 J) was identified at 4 wt.%. The input parameters were applied load (15, 25 and 35 N), sliding distance (750, 1250, and 1750 m) and sliding velocity (1, 2 and 3 m/s), whereas specific wear rate was the response parameter designed based on Taguchi's L27 array. The percentage contribution of each influential input factor towards the performance characteristics of the developed composites were defined using Analysis of Variance. Optimum wear rate was obtained at 15 N load, 750 m sliding distance and 1 m/s sliding velocity combination. Signal to Noise ratio identified applied load as most influential followed by sliding distance and sliding velocity.

Keywords

• aluminum metal matrix composites
• stir casting
• wear rate
• wear resistance