Wear, optimization and surface analysis of Al-Al2O3-TiO2 hybrid metal matrix composites

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to investigate vickers hardness, wear behavior as well as to perform optimization of wear data for pure Al and Al-Al2O3-TiO2 hybrid metal matrix composites. The hybrid composite (Al-Al2O3-TiO2) was prepared by mechanical stir casting with equal proportion of reinforcement (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 wt.%). Vickers hardness, wear behavior and its optimization using ANOVA as well as TOPSIS along with the microstructure of the worn surface of prepared sample has been investigated. Vickers hardness increases with an increase in weight percentage of reinforcements. Wear test was carried out under dry sliding condition by pin-on-disc wear machine according to the ASTM G99-95a standard. Wear properties of the sample have been obtained at different percentages of reinforcement. Wear resistance of the hybrid composite increases with the variation of percentage of titanium oxide particles due to its lubricating properties. ANOVA shows that the reinforcements and load have different effect on samples wear rate. TOPSIS analysis shows rank of the sample according to its wear rate. Worn surface morphology was investigated and it showed deep grooves, more debris, delamination and rough surface in pure Al sample as compared to the high percentage of reinforced hybrid metal matrix composites.