Optimization of Three Body Abrasive Wear Behaviour of Stir Cast A356/ ZrSiO4 Metal Matrix Composite

In the current research, abrasive wear of A356/15 wt% ZrSiO4 metal matrix composite has been investigated. Microstructural analysis of the fabricated composites revealed that ZrSiO4 particles were uniformly distributed in the matrix. Response Surface Methodology adopted for designing abrasive wear experiments using different parameters such load, speed and time. Experiments were performed using a dry abrasion tester. Surface plots were generated for the interaction of different parameters with the abrasive wear rate. Surface plots show that the wear rate tends to increase with increasing load and sliding distance while it decreases as the speed increases. Regression analysis result in a good relation of the parameters with the wear rate which confirm the accuracy of the model developed. Moreover, the optimal combination of the testing parameters which result in low abrasion wear rate is determined.