Dry sliding wear studies on SiC reinforced functionally graded aluminium matrix composites

The main aim of this study is to fabricate SiC particulate reinforced aluminum functionally graded (Al FGM) brake disc and to find the optimal friction and wear parameters using grey relational analysis. The A356-20%SiCp melt was processed using liquid metal stir casting technique followed by centrifugal casting resulting in the formation of a functionally graded Al FGM brake disc. Due to the centrifugal force, the hard SiC particles were moved towards the outer peripheral area of the brake disc, which enhances the wear resistance. The microstructural analysis is done on brake disc to show the segregation of SiC particle from outer periphery to inner region. The pins for conducting wear study are machined from particle-rich zone, particle intermediate zone and particle depletion zone at a distance of 15mm, 45mm, 75mm respectively from the outer periphery of the brake disc. The analysis of variance is also done to investigate the major factors that significantly influence the wear behavior in Al FGM brake disc. The observed results show that the particle-rich zone is the major effect on the dry sliding wear followed by applied load.