Dry sliding behavior of aluminum alloy 8011 with 4 % fly ash

This research is focused on the fabrication of aluminum alloy 8011 with 4 % fly ash (FA) composite (AA8011-4 % FA) using the stir casting method. The dry sliding wear characteristics of the composite were investigated using 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 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 according to the experimental design using a pin-on-disc apparatus at room temperature. The obtained regression result 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.