Wear Behaviour of Cu-Al-Be-Mn Shape Memory Alloys by Using Taguchi Technique

Abstract The present study considers the tribological behaviour of Cu-Al-Be-Mn Shape memory alloys which were prepared by ingot metallurgy route using an induction furnace. The experiment was carried out based on taguchi technique by using L 27 orthogonal array in dry sliding and room temperature condition. Sliding Speed, Applied Load and Sliding Distance were considered as testing factors and the weight loss was considered as the response. The optimal parameter combination for minimal wear rate was obtained at the Speed of 160 rpm, Load of 5 N and a Sliding Distance of 250 m. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied to study the effect of each factor on weight loss of this alloy. From the ANOVA results Sliding Distance is found to be major significant factor which influences on the weight loss with a contribution of 63.63% and the wear rate was significantly influenced by increasing the applied load and sliding distance. Scanning electron microscopy is used to study the type of wear mechanism undergone during the test.