Characterization, Strength and Wear Optimization of Aluminium Based Boron Carbide/Graphite Hybrid Composite by TOPSIS for Dry Condition

Abstract

Aluminium is one of the most widely available metals and its application is seen vastly due to its high strength-to-weight ratio as compared to other metals being cost effective at the same time. Its application is found to be in various structural, automobile and machine industries. But somehow due to its ductile nature, challenging conditions like high-speed applications with minimal wear and friction loss are an important aspect to look forward to. Al6063-based hybrid composites having boron carbide (B4C) 4% wt. and graphite (Gr) 0/2/3.5/5% wt. composites have been fabricated by the stir casting route using K2TiF6 for enhancing the particle dispersion in the metal matrix. XRD, SEM and EDAX results have been obtained for the composites fabricated for characterization. Impact and hardness test results show improvement in the toughness and hardness of the fabricated composites. SEM images of the fractured specimen have been obtained which depict the inhibition of crack propagation due to the boron carbide and graphite reinforcement’s presence. Pin-on-disc wear tests have been carried out considering the L25 Taguchi orthogonal array along with TOPSIS optimization for finding the best and the worst conditions for wear analysis considering the closeness coefficient, C j .