Title: Dry sliding wear behaviour of A356-TiB₂/TiC in-situ composites at ambient and elevated temperatures

Authors: Ismail Kakaravada; A. Mahamani; V. Pandurangadu

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapuramu, 515002, Andhra Pradesh, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering and Technology (Autonomus), Chittoor, 517127, Andhra Pradesh, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapuramu, 515002, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract: A356-TiB₂/TiC in-situ metal matrix composites have been developed through reactions between liquid aluminium and various chemicals, such as potassium hexa fluorotitanate (K₂TiF₆), potassium tetra fluoroborate (KBF₄), and graphite (C), through flex assisted synthesis. In the present investigation, the distinct quantities of halide salts were added into molten aluminium to obtain 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5% of TiB₂/TiC-reinforced composites. The fabricated composites were examined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) energy dispersive analysis (EDAX) X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and micro-hardness tests to evaluate the effects of adding the reinforcement. The wear behaviour of A356-TiB₂/TiC composites was studied using a pin-on-disk apparatus. The influence of wt% of the reinforcement, sliding velocity, normal load, and temperature on wear rate (WR), coefficient of friction (COF), specific wear rate (SWR), and wear rate per unit wt% of the reinforcement. The worn out surfaces of A356-TiB₂/TiC composites were carefully analysed with an SEM. TiB₂ and TiC particles improved the wear resistance of composites at ambient and elevated temperatures. This result reveals that at elevated temperatures, the pure alloy was subjected to adhesive wear, whereas oxidation wear was more dominant in A356-TiB₂/TiC composites.

Keywords: A356-TiB₂/TiC in-situ composite; wear rate; coefficient of friction; specific wear rate; wear rate per unit wt% of reinforcement; wear parameters; wear surface analysis; wear modes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2020.106670

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2020 Vol.11 No.2, pp.145 - 162

Received: 04 May 2019
Accepted: 21 Sep 2019
Published online: 16 Apr 2020 *

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