Effect of Silicon Carbide and Alumina Reinforcement of Different Volume Fraction on Wear Characteristics of AL 7075 Hybrid Composites Using Response Surface Methodology

This study investigates the wear performance of Hybrid composite of Aluminium Al 7075 (SiC/Al₂O₃). The Reinforcements used for the Hybrid composite preparation are Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Aluminium Oxide (Al₂O₃). Reinforcements are added in 5%, 10% and 15% in volume percentage in to aluminium alloy for composite preparation. The wear performance of the developed composites was analysed using dry sliding test apparatus. The effect of wear study parameters such as load, sliding distance, sliding velocity on the response of wear rate were predicted. This study revealed that Wear rate was influenced by the load significantly. The addition of reinforcement in hybrid composite increases the wear rate up to 10% of addition and reduces the wear rate at 15% of addition. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) study displays the wear mechanism clearly. This study concludes that the introduction of reinforcements into the aluminium enhances the wear confrontation of the composites considerably. The developed composite may be used in high wear prone zones effectively.

Keywords:
Al 7075; SiC; Al₂O₃; Wear; RSM