Impact of Heat Treatment Analysis on the Wear Behaviour of Al-14.2Si-0.3Mg-TiC Composite using Response Surface Methodology

Al-14.2Si-0.3Mg Alloy reinforced with hard phased TiC coarse particulates (10 wt-%) was contrived using the liquid metallurgy route. The so fabricated aluminium metal matrix composites was made to undergo solutionising at 5250C for 12 hours in a heat treatment furnace and was subsequently water quenched to room temperature. The developed composite was then kept for age hardening at varying temperatures and time for enhanced tribological properties. A pin on disc Tribometer (ASTM-G99) was utilised to study the wear properties of the fabricated composite. Aging temperature (0C), applied load (N) and Aging time (hours) were chosen as the process parameters for analysing the material's resistance to wear. Using response surface methodology the influence of reinforcement in the wear properties of the composite was studied. The design of the regression equation was prepared and the impact of each experimental parameter was scrutinized. Results depict that with an increase in the aging temperature, aging time and load, there observed a variation in the materials wear properties. The worn-out surface of the metal matrix composite was then investigated with the help of the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).