Effect of the pin temperature and SiC reinforcement on dry sliding tribological behavior of aluminium based silicon carbide metal matrix composite (Al-SiC) using Taguchi approach

Abstract

This paper deals with the replacement of existing brake pad material based on its highest strength and stiffness-to-weight ratio. To overcome this problem, we have investigated the input process parameters: silicon carbide weight percentage, normal pressure, sliding speed or distance, and temperature, all of which affect tribological properties. The tribological behavior of an aluminum-based silicon carbide metal matrix (Al-SiC) is investigated at elevated temperatures in this study. The metal matrix composite brake pad material has been introduced recently due to its cost-effectiveness, stable coefficient of friction, lower wear rate, and constant contact pressure at high temperatures. In this investigation, an LM25-SiC composite was fabricated using the stir casting technique, in which SiC particles were reinforced at 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight in the base alloy LM25. The investigation was carried out for friction and wear studies on a pin on a disc tester at elevated temperatures for different loads and sliding distances. The investigation using the design of experimentation highlighted by the Taguchi technique highlights the effectiveness of replacing existing brake pad material. The experimental results show improved mechanical properties due to the addition of SiC, and it is also observed that a 15% SiC addition to base metal gives optimal sliding wear.