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Development and Properties of Centrifugally Cast Silicon Nitride Reinforced Functionally Graded Copper Matrix Composite

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Abstract

The current study aims to synthesize copper alloy and functionally graded Cu-10Sn-5Ni/10Si3N4 composite using horizontal centrifugal casting method and compare their mechanical and adhesive wear characteristics. The fabricated castings have dimensions of Øout100 x Øin70 × 100 mm. Microstructural analysis revealed that inner region of composite possesses higher concentration of reinforcement particles, resulting in better hardness and tensile properties at this region compared to outer regions of both unreinforced alloy and composite. Analysis of dry sliding wear performance and frictional coefficient was performed at inner region of the composite under different sliding conditions using Taguchi’s method on pin-on-disc tribometer. Signal-to-Noise ratio and Analysis of Variance results concluded that applied load had the most influence on wear rate and coefficient of friction followed by sliding distance and sliding velocity. Worn surface morphologies of composite specimens revealed a transition from mild to severe wear at high loads. The fabricated composites are well suitable for sliding tribological applications.

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Acknowledgments

We are so thankful to Defense Research and Development Organization for providing the financial support. [ERIP/ER/1503188/M/01/1587].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, India

    N. Radhika, S. Thirumalini & R. Jojith

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  1. N. Radhika
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  2. S. Thirumalini
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  3. R. Jojith
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Correspondence to N. Radhika.

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Radhika, N., Thirumalini, S. & Jojith, R. Development and Properties of Centrifugally Cast Silicon Nitride Reinforced Functionally Graded Copper Matrix Composite. Silicon 11, 2103–2116 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-018-0030-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-018-0030-y

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