Investigation of Dry Sliding Wear Properties of Aluminium Matrix Composite Prepared Through FDMAIC Process Using Reinforced Pattern

In the present research work an attempt has been made to investigate the dry sliding wear properties of Al-6063/Al2O3 based aluminium matrix composite (AMC) prepared through fused deposition modelling assisted investment casting route by using an alternative reinforced sacrificial pattern. Initially, a mixture of Al2O3 particles (120–150 μm), Al powder and nylon-6 granules was prepared with hand blending and was used for the development of alternative fused deposition modelling (FDM) feedstock filament. Afterwards, sacrificial patterns prepared on FDM with this alternative filament were used for investment casting (IC). Three controllable process parameters namely: volume of FDM pattern (VP), density of FDM system (DP) and number of IC layers (SL) were studied through Design of Experimental technique. Wear of aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) has been examined on pin-on-disc type tribo tester at 19.6 N load for 10 min. The results of the study indicated that VP, DP and SL have contributed about 3, 15 and 76% respectively, for wear resistance of AMCs.