Purpose
This study aims to present a novel methodology for the evaluation of tribological properties of new nanocomposites with the A356 alloy matrix reinforced with aluminium oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles.
Design/methodology/approach
Metal matrix nanocomposites (MMnCs) with varying amounts and sizes of Al2O3 particles were produced using a compocasting process. The influence of four factors, with different levels, on the wear rate, was analysed with the help of the design of experiments (DoE). A regression model was developed by using the response surface methodology (RSM) to establish a relationship between the observed factors and the wear rate. An artificial neural network was also applied to predict the value of wear rate. Adequacy of models was compared with experimental values. The extreme values of wear rate were determined with a genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization using the RSM model.
Findings
The combination of optimization methods determined the values of the factors which provide the highest wear resistance, namely, reinforcement content of 0.44 wt.% Al2O3, sliding speed of 1 m/s, normal load of 100 N and particle size of 100 nm. Used methods proved as effective tools for modelling and predicting of the behaviour of aluminium matrix nanocomposites.
Originality/value
The specific combinations of the optimization methods has not been applied up to now in the investigation of MMnCs. In addition, using of small content of ceramic nanoparticles as reinforcement has been poorly investigated. It can be stated that the presented approach for testing and prediction of the wear rate of nanocomposites is a very good base for their future research.
In this paper is presented the tribological behavior of A356-based aluminum composites using Taguchi design. Testing of tribological characteristics of aluminum composites was done on a tribometer with block on disc contact geometry. Composite materials were obtained by compocasting. The orthogonal matrix L18 is used to form the experimental design using the Taguchi method. The tribological characteristics of the aluminum composite reinforced with SiC (A356/10 wt.% SiC) were compared to the base material A356 for three sliding speeds (0.25 m/s; 0.5 m/s and 1.0 m/s), three values of normal load (10 N, 20 N and 30 N) and sliding distance of 150 m under lubrication conditions. ANOVA analysis showed that the least wear has a composite material at a load of 10 N and at sliding speed of 0.25 m/s.
The comparative analysis of the two hybrid composites, obtained by the compocasting process, based on A356 and ZA-27 alloys and reinforced with 10 wt. % SiC and 0, 1 and 3 wt. % graphite (Gr) is presented. Optimisation of their tribological behaviour was performed by the Taguchi method and the artificial neural network (ANN). Tribological tests were performed on a block-on-disk tribometer, at three sliding speeds, three normal loads and a sliding distance of 600 m, without lubrication. Results obtained by the ANOVA showed that the hybrid composites based on A356 alloy have the better wear resistance and that the composite reinforced with 10 wt. % SiC and 1 wt. % Gr has the lowest wear rate. The lowest coefficient of friction was obtained for a composite based on ZA-27 alloy reinforced with 10 wt. % SiC, at a normal load of 10 N and sliding speed of 1 m/s.
The paper provides an overview of mechanical properties the cast polymer composite materials. The polymer composite materials are modern materials respectively advanced composites. The paper presents and explains the most common manufacturing method used, with a brief review on design possibilities in interior environments. The products of these materials are used for equipping the interior environment -kitchen, bathroom, laboratory, etc. It is chemical -resistant materials. Cast polymer composite materials are used for fabricating products that are reliable and meet almost all design criteria, some of the designs solutions are presented in the paper. Modern composites become competitors due to the possibility of modeling different design products. Further research of these materials is carried out in order to improve their mechanical properties.
ARTICLE HISTORY
Demands of today’s automotive industry are increasing; there is a constant tendency of weight reduction and higher reliability of constructions. Pistons and piston liners for vehicles are mostly manufactured from aluminum-silicon alloys. With different manufacturing methods and/or the addition of some chemical elements, base alloy properties can be modified. Methods for hypereutectic aluminum alloys and composites manufacturing and their influence on material properties will be given in this paper. The influence of Si percentage in base alloy and how an addition of some chemical elements affects the properties of these materials will be observed as well.
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