Dry sliding behavior of the aluminum alloy 8011 composite with 8 % fly ash

This study focuses on the fabrication of aluminum alloy 8011 with 8 % fly ash (FA) composite (AA8011-8 % FA), using the stir casting method. The dry sliding wear characteristics of the composite were investigated at various sliding parameters. A three-level central composite design experiment was developed using response surface methodology with various parameters such as load, time, and sliding velocity and varied in the range of 5 to 15 N, 5 to 15 min, and 1.5 to 4.5 m × s−1, respectively. Dry sliding wear tests were performed as per the experimental design using a pin-on disc at room temperature. The regression result obtained indicated that the developed model performed well in relating the wear process parameters and predicted the wear behavior of the composite. The surface plot showed that the wear rate increases with increase in load, time, and sliding velocity. Moreover, the surface morphology of the worn-out composite was examined using a scanning electron microscope.