Mechanical behavior and sliding wear assessment of Al2024/TiC metal matrix composite using Taguchi and spotted hyena optimization

The microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of Titanium Carbide (TiC) particles reinforced Al2024 Metal Matrix Composites (Al MMCs) were investigated. Fractography analysis of tensile test specimen revealed that debonding was prominent in 3% TiC reinforced Al MMCs, while clevage pattern failure was pronounced in 6% and 9% TiC reinforced MMCs. Tribological property was studied as sliding wear behaviour of MMCs. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) analysis was employed to understand the effect of parameters, interaction effects was studied through response surface plots. Further, regression model was developed to correlate process parameters and wear. The worn surface analysis shown the formation of ridges and parallel furrows on surface in sliding direction. Al/TiC composites exhibited better mechanical properties and wear resistance compared to Al2024 alloy. The optimization of wear for its minimum value was achieved through spotted hyena optimization algorithm. The wear loss at optimized parameter was validated through experimental value and compared with Taguchi's technique. (c) 2024 Sharif University of Technology. All rights reserved.