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Multi-response optimization of tribological characteristics of aluminum MMCs using PCA

Rajesh Siriyala (Department of Mechanical Engineering, S.R.K.R. Engineering College, Bhimavaram, India)
A. Gopala Krishna (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College of Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, India)
P. Rama Murthy Raju (Department of Mechanical Engineering, S.R.K.R. Engineering College, Bhimavaram, India)
M. Duraiselvam (Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, India)

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures

ISSN: 1573-6105

Article publication date: 5 August 2014

112

Abstract

Purpose

Since, wear is the one of the most commonly encountered industrial problems leading to frequent replacement of components there is a need to develop metal matrix composites (MMCs) for achieving better wear properties. The purpose of this paper is to fabricate aluminum MMCs to improve the dry sliding wear characteristics. An effective multi-response optimization approach called the principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the sets of optimal parameters in dry sliding wear process.

Design/methodology/approach

The present work investigates the dry sliding wear behavior of graphite reinforced aluminum composites produced by the molten metal mixing method by means of a pin-on-disc type wear set up. Dry sliding wear tests were carried on graphite reinforced MMCs and its matrix alloy sliding against a steel counter face. Different contact stress, reinforcement percentage, sliding distance and sliding velocity were selected as the control variables and the response selected was wear volume loss (WVL) and coefficient of friction (COF) to evaluate the dry sliding performance. An L25 orthogonal array was employed for the experimental design. Optimization of dry sliding performance of the graphite reinforced MMCs was performed using PCA.

Findings

Based on the PCA, the optimum level parameters for overall principal component (PC) of WVL and COF have been identified. Moreover, analysis of variance was performed to know the impact of individual factors on overall PC of WVL and COF. The results indicated that the reinforcement percentage was found to be most effective factor among the other control parameters on dry sliding wear followed by sliding distance, sliding velocity and contact stress. Finally the wear surface morphology of the composites has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy.

Practical implications

Various manufacturing techniques are available for processing of MMCs. Each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. In particular, some techniques are significantly expensive compared to others. Generally the manufacturer prefers the low cost technique. Therefore stir casting technique which was used in this paper for manufacturing of Aluminum MMCs is the best alternative for processing of MMCs in the present commercial sectors. Since the most important criteria of a dry sliding wear behavior is to provide lower WVL and COF, this study has intended to prove the application of PCA technique for solving multi objective optimization problem in wear applications like piston rings, piston rods, cylinder heads and brake rotors, etc.

Originality/value

Application of multi-response optimization technique for evaluation of tribological characteristics for Aluminum MMCs made up of graphite particulates is a first-of-its-kind approach in literature. Hence PCA method can be successfully used for multi-response optimization of dry sliding wear process.

Keywords

Citation

Siriyala, R., Gopala Krishna, A., Rama Murthy Raju, P. and Duraiselvam, M. (2014), "Multi-response optimization of tribological characteristics of aluminum MMCs using PCA", Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 276-287. https://doi.org/10.1108/MMMS-06-2013-0045

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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