Evolution of A356 with flyash composites on metallurgical mechanical and tribological behaviour under dry and wet conditions

Among all metal matrix composites, A356 is the most applicable matrix due to its low density and exhibits nominal strength with soft nature. This proposed study is concerned with examination of mechanical and tribological behaviour of virgin A356 alloy and A356 reinforcement with 10wt.% power plant waste flyash particles composites were processed by liquid metallurgy stir casting technique. The fabricated composites expose enhanced higher hardness and compare the virgin A356 alloy due to presents of flyash particles in the matrix. The wear and friction behaviour of casted samples was tested in pin on disk tribometer apparatus under dry and wet sliding environment at the presence of lubricant (SAE 80W-90) by varying sliding load of 10N-40N and sliding velocity of 1-3 m/s respectively. Wear rate increase with the increasing load and sliding velocity. The usage of lubricant tends to decrease the wear rate by reducing the friction when compared to dry sliding method. This was ascribed due to lubricant and constructive embedding with bonding ability of flyash particles over the A356 metal alloy. This outcome shows the better abrasion resistance and adhesive behaviour.