Dry sliding wear performance of AA7075/MoS2 composite materials

This article aims in exploring the dry sliding wear performances on the aluminium (AA7075) metal matrix composites reinforced with molybdenum disulphide which is a solid lubricant using response surface methodology (RSM). Specific Wear Rate (SWR) for the AA7075 pure alloy, AA7075+2wt% molybdenum disulphide and AA7075+4wt% molybdenum disulphide were measured according to ASTM G99 standards in pin-on-disc apparatus. Design of experiments was selected with changed parameters like the varying percentage of molybdenum disulphide (%), applied load (N), and sliding velocity (m/s) based on Central Composite Design in response surface methodology considering them as continuous factors. Experiments for specific wear rate of pure alloy and the composites were conducted. The volume loss is measured using the pin-on-disc apparatus from which the specific wear rate value is calculated. The obtained results are analyzed and a mathematical model was formulated using the response surface methodology. The optimum level parameters for the specific wear rate has been identified and the results of the experiment specify that the sliding velocity and molybdenum disulphide percentage have a substantial role in controlling the wear behaviour of composites when compared with the other parameter. The optimum condition for the specific wear rate was identified and experimented for studying the result.