Material synthesis characterization Mechanical behavior and wear Parametric optimization of silicon Nitride based aa6063 matrix composites

Abstract

New and advanced materials are in great demand in today s scenario and also remain a subject of interest because of its more energy efficient, stronger, lightweight, cost-effective, etc. The consumers for systems and machines were so interested in these materials. It becomes very difficult in designing materials due to the conflicting nature of material specifications, which cannot be overstated. So Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (AlMMCs) are introduced, which possess the requisite properties such as lightweight, high stiffness and moderate strength that also successfully meet the rigorous specification in various applications. AlMMCs offer great potential for the development of composites with the desired properties for certain applications when they are combined with a variety of reinforcement materials and flexibility in their primary processing. The mechanical properties of the aluminium matrix composites were improved by Silicon Nitride (Si3N4). The production of Aluminium Alloy (AA6063) matrix composite was done with different wt.% of Si3N4 content using the stir casting route. The wear test was conducted using the L27 orthogonal array in the Pin-on-disc apparatus, and the determined wear parameters were optimized by S/N ratio and ANOVA analysis. The uniform distribution of Si3N4 particles in the AA6063 matrix was shown by the SEM images, and EDS analysis was employed to confirm its composition. This resulted in the minimum wear rate that was obtained for the composite containing 10 wt.% Si3N4, a load of 29.43 N, the sliding distance of 1500 m and the sliding velocity of 3 m/s. The weight percentage of reinforcement has a higher percentage of the contribution that influences the wear rate of the composite, and it was revealed by the ANOVA results. The results were well agreed with optimized parameters as per the confirmation test. Si3N4 is the most used reinforcement for metal matrix composites and is also extensively executed to develop composites with AA6063 as a matrix. Stir casting methodology was used in the production of an aluminium alloy matrix with a different weight percentage of silicon nitride content. newline