Investigation of Wear Behaviourof 6 Wt% Silicon Carbide Fiber Metal Laminate Composite

Abstract

This study undertakes an empirical investigation into a composite laminate comprising Basalt fiber and Aluminum. Basalt, an igneous rock primarily composed of plagioclase and pyroxene minerals, is amalgamated with Aluminum, a silvery, malleable, non-magnetic, and ductile metal from the boron group. This amalgamation enhances the mechanical properties of Aluminum, rendering it suitable for a wide array of engineering applications. The meticulous hand lay-up technique is employed to fabricate the Basalt-Aluminum laminate. To augment its abrasive and enduring characteristics, a 6% weight infusion of silicon carbide is introduced. To evaluate the wear resistance of the Basalt-Aluminum laminate, a pin-on-disc apparatus is employed, with the number of trials meticulously arranged using the Taguchi methodology employing an L9 Orthogonal Array. Subsequently, the obtained results for each specimen are optimized using the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) technique. Further examination of the tested material samples is carried out through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imagery to dissect the intricate nuances of wear characteristics. This material exhibits substantial potential for application in environments prone to frequent wear, such as brake calipers, clutch plates, conveyor belts, and analogous scenarios.