DRY SLIDING WEAR BEHAVIOR OPTIMIZATION OF STIR CAST LM6/ZrO2 COMPOSITES BY RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY ANALYSIS

LM6 was reinforced with various percentages of ZrO2 particles by using stir casting method. The prepared samples were subjected to tensile and wear test at variable loads by using a pin-on-disc wear tester. The curve fitting technique was used to develop the respective linear, logarithmic, polynomial, power law equations. The wear worn surface and surface roughness of the specimen were studied. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to minimize the number of experimental conditions and develop the mathematical model between the key process parameters namely weight percentage of ZrO2, load and sliding distance. Analysis of Variance technique was applied to check the validity of the developed model. The mathematical model developed for the specific wear rate was predicted at 99% confidence level and some useful conclusions were made.