Optimization of reinforcement content and sliding distance for AlSi7Mg/SiCp composites using response surface methodology

Extruded AlSi7 Mg alloy based SiCp reinforced (AlSi7 Mg/SiCp) composites and the matrix alloy were wear tested on a pin on disk type tester. The work was planned so that some response surface (RS) models can be used to examine the wear behaviour of composite samples. The effects of friction load, sliding distance and reinforcement content on the wear rate and weight loss of AlSi7 Mg/SiCp composites were evaluated by using RS optimization procedure. In the applications of RS models to engineering problems, the estimated RS models usually have a maximum or a minimum point. Through this article the RS optimization procedure was employed to optimize the reinforcement content and sliding distance for the minimization of wear rate and weight loss of tested composites. During the tests, the values of reinforcement content, friction load and sliding distance were changed on the intervals (0%, 20%), (49 N, 169 N), (100 m, 1000 m), respectively. It was shown that there exists some optimum values of reinforcement content and some optimum values of sliding distance which minimize the wear rates also weight losses of tested composites for some fixed values of friction load in the experimental region. In this concern, the average value of optimum reinforcement contents and the average value of optimum sliding distances of AlSi7 Mg/SiCp composites minimizing the wear rate were found as 13% and 595 m, respectively. Also the average value of optimum reinforcement content minimizing the weight loss was found as 13%. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.