Study on three-body abrasive wear behavior of functionally graded Al/TiB2 composite using response surface methodology

Functionally graded LM13 Al/10wt% TiB2 metal matrix composite has successfully produced under centrifugal casting. Hollow cylindrical composite with dimensions 150x150x15mm was produced under rotating centrifugal speed of 1100rpm. Microstructural characteristics were studied on the composite surfaces at distance of 1, 5.5, and 10mm from outer periphery of the casting, and the results revealed that surface at distance of 1mm has presence of more reinforcement particles. An objective of this study was to characterize abrasion wear behavior at the composite surfaces using dry abrasion tester. Mathematical models were developed using response surface methodology to study the relationship of parameters such as load, speed, and distance from outer periphery with abrasion wear rate. Face centered Central Composite Design with 20 experiments was preferred for dry abrasion test. Adequacy of model was predicted through analysis of variance, and the significance test result shows that load has major impact on the wear rate. The optimized parametric condition to obtain minimum wear rate was found as load of 33N, speed of 112rpm, and distance of 1mm from outer periphery. Scanning electron microscopy analysis done at worn out surface showed maximum wear resistance at the outer periphery.