Abstract
Abstract
This research explored AA 6351reinforced with varying amounts of nano silicon carbide (five wt%) and nanoZirconia powder (3to 9 in steps of three wt%) composites’ wear performance using the powder metallurgy technique. Wear tests were conducted on the specimens in a dry, ambient environment utilizing a tribometer(pin-on-disc). The impact of three factors—Zirconia wt percentage, load, and sliding velocity—on the wear rate and friction coefficient was investigated. An experimental design based on the Taguchi-nine-level orthogonal array was employed, allowing for efficient analysis of parameter significance. Optimum conditions for minimum wear were identified through a main effect plot, indicating 9% wt reinforcement (Level 3), 1.34 ms−1 sliding velocity (Level 3), and 10 N load (Level 1). Sliding velocity (72.027%) emerged as the primary determinant of wear- rate in the ANOVA analysis, followed by the contributions of reinforcement (16.056%) and load (10.92%). Optimization for the lowest friction coefficient, again via the main effect plot, pointed to 9% wt reinforcement (Level 3), 30 N load (Level3), and 0.84 ms−1 sliding velocity (Level2). ANOVA showed that reinforcement ZrO2(37.57%) strongly influenced friction, with sliding velocity (20.53%) and load (14.78%) playing more minor roles.