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Effect of Silicon Nitride Particles on the Sliding Wear Characteristics of Functionally Graded Aluminium Composite

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Abstract

In this study, high-hardness Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) particles were spatially dispersed with aluminium A356 alloy, making A356 reinforced with 10 wt.% Si3N4 Functionally Graded Metal Matrix Composite (A356-10 wt.% Si3N4 FGMMC) through vertical centrifugal casting route. The gradient particle distribution and phase analysis were verified along the radial direction. The hardness and sliding wear behaviour were evaluated using Vicker’s microhardness tester and pin-on-disc tribometer. The superior microhardness (182 HV) was observed at the exterior surface, which was 73% higher than the interior surface. In the dissimilar zones of the FGMMC, wear performance was assessed with the applied loads of 20, 40, and 60 N at sliding velocities of 2, 3 and 4 m/s during the sliding distances of 500, 1250, and 2000 m. Taguchi's technique and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were implemented to pinpoint the optimum and momentous sliding wear variables. The lowest wear rate of 0.749 × 10−4 is identified at the ceramic wealthy zone with 20 N, 2 m/s, 500 m, and ANOVA analysis revealed that the various zones had a major impact (30.70%) followed by load (28.76%). The worn surface investigation confirmed the production of a stable tribo-oxide layer and revealed the enhanced wear resistance on the wealthy ceramic zone. The microstructural, hardness and wear experiment's findings confirmed the gradient distribution of Si3N4 in the A356 alloy from the exterior to the interior surface, with a maximum in the exterior periphery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, Chennai, India

    S. Prathap Singh

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, India

    D. Ananthapadmanaban

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Prathap Singh, S., Ananthapadmanaban, D. Effect of Silicon Nitride Particles on the Sliding Wear Characteristics of Functionally Graded Aluminium Composite. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 33, 2875–2896 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-023-09011-z

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