Statistical approach to analyze wear parameters and worn surface morphology of aluminum – silicon carbide (13%) – graphite composites with and without cryogenic treatment

Recent technology requires materials with unusual combinations of properties to meet specific needs. Composite materials are gaining more importance due to high toughness, stiffness, specific strength, strength to weight ratio etc. Hybrid composite materials are in more demand with varying reinforcement which enhances mechanical properties. The present work is aimed at reinforcing AL6061 alloy with 13% Silicon carbide and varying % of graphite (1%, 2% and 3%). The hybrid composites are fabricated using bottom pouring stir casting machine. The fabrication of specimens is done as per ASTM standards. The wear characteristics of Al-SiC (13%)-Graphite composites, with and without cryogenic treatment, were investigated using a statistical optimization approach based on the Taguchi method. The multiple regression equation obtained using ANOVA correlates the evaluation of the wear of the HYBRID combination of both untreated and cryogenically treated (CT) specimens with a reasonable degree of approximation. Cryogenic treatment resulted in a reduction in wear scar depth and coefficient of friction under the tested conditions. The Al 6061/13%SiC/2%Gr is best among all the combinations studied.