Wear analysis of CNT-AL Nanocomposites using surface response method

Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced aluminium (Al) nano-composites were produced using powder metallurgy route with different weight percent of CNT in to the Al matrix. The wear behaviour of CNT-Al nano-composite was studied using a pin-on-disc tribometer against AISI4340 steel disc. Experiments were conducted using different sliding velocities of 0.5, 0.65 and 0.8 m/s and a normal load of 5, 7.5 and 10 N. Design Expert (DOE) version 6.0.8 was used to optimize the process variable for wear and friction test of the developed CNT-Al nano-composite using face centered central composite design based on response surface methodology and confirmed that 1.5 wt% was the optimum CNT-Al nano-composite formulations. The result showed that higher hardness value of the material showed a lesser wear rate and better wear resistance. The result showed that the wear rate of the developed nano-composite decreased with the increasing of CNT content but up to 1.5 wt% CNT into the nano-composite. The wear rate values varied from 2-0.6 x10-3 mm3/m (2, 0.2, 0.17. 0.3 and 0.6 mm3/m x10-3 for 0 wt%, 1 wt%, 1.5 wt%, 2 wt% and 2.5 wt% CNT respectively). These results also showed that the rate of wear decreases with the increase in normal load and sliding speed. DOE confirm the accuracy of the experimental result for the evaluation of the developed CNT-Al nano-composite. Keywords: Wear testing, Sliding wear, Wear modelling, Metal-matrix composite and CNTAl nano-composite