Optimization of Process Parameters for Tribological Behaviour of AA7075+WC Metal Matrix Composite Using ANOVA

Aluminium has its vital role to play in engineering materials for producing higher strength-to-weight ratio components. In this present research, the tribological properties of aluminium alloy AA7075 strengthened by Tungsten Carbide (WC) at different proportions (1 and 2% wt. of WC) are synthesised using stir- casting method. To measure wear and frictional characteristics, a pin-on-disc wear tester was used to conduct a dry sliding wear test on the WC reinforced AA7075 composite. Tests were performed and processed using a TAGUCHI L-9 Orthogonal array on the basis of the proposal of design of experiments (DOE) using Taguchi’s method in Minitab tool. During the wear test, an ANOVA is used to determine the effect of load applied, sliding distance and speed of sliding on wear rate, including the coefficient of friction (COF). To study the dry sliding wear resistance, the Taguchi design was used with signal-to-noise ratio as a “smaller is better” characteristic. Results reveal that the weight and sliding speed of the sliding distance have a larger influence. At last, tests to corroborate the experimental results were carried out, three experiments are conducted for each confirmation test of wt% of WC among which highest accuracy for 1 wt% WC is 95.83% for SWR and 97.9% for COF followed by the 2 wt% composite with 97.02% for SWR and 95.16% for COF.