Experimental investigation on mechanical behaviour, modelling and optimization of wear parameters of B4C and graphite reinforced aluminium hybrid composites

Aluminium alloy (AA) 6061 and 7075 were reinforced with 10 wt.% of boron carbide (B4C) and 5 wt.% of graphite through liquid casting technique. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectrum (EDS) were used for the characterization of composites. The wear experiment was carried out by using a pin-on-disc apparatus with various input parameters like applied load (10, 20, and 30 N), sliding speed (0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 m/s) and sliding distance (1000, 1500, and 2000 m). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using MINITAB 14 software was used to analyse the wear rate of hybrid composites and aluminium alloys. The worn surfaces of hybrid composites and base alloys were studied through SEM and EDS systems and some useful conclusions were made. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.