Optimization of dry sliding wear parameters of recursive friction stir processed aluminium 7075 alloy

Abstract

In this work, the dry sliding wear behaviour of recursively friction stir processed AA7075 was investigated using a pin-on-disc wear testing apparatus. The microstructure of the processed specimen was probed using optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Experiments were conducted using Taguchi experimental design by varying three different parameters like load, sliding velocity and sliding distance, and the analysis of variance was performed to identify the influence of the parameters over the wear rate. From the main effect plot, the combination of 9.81 N of load, 2 m/s of sliding velocity and a sliding distance of 2000 m was identified as the optimum levels that minimize the wear rate. The regression model was developed to calculate the wear rate, and the validation test was performed with the optimum parameter combination and compared with the experimental results. Wear tracks were examined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy to identify the type of wear mechanism.