Optimization of hardness and wear of friction stir processed Al 6061-B4C surface composites

Abstract

In this investigation friction stir process was used for fabricating the surface composites of Al 6061- B4C. Based on the Taguchi method a 25-run was experiments performed. Four parameters and 5 levels
were considered for investigation. Grove width, rotational speed, traverse speed and axial load were the parameters considered for this investigation. The output parameters measured are hardness and
wear and the outcome of process parameters on the hardness and wear were analyzed. Uncertainty analysis (standard JCGM 100:2008 (Type ‘A’)) was performed for the measured value to ensure
precision. And in addition, grey relational analysis was used to optimize hardness and wear with the condition smaller the better. From the uncertainty error analysis, it was observed that the precision of
both hardness and wear was less than 5%, which ensured higher precision of the observed experimental results. It was observed from the results that for process parameters groove width, rotational speed, traverse speed and axial load both hardness and wear were predicted to be 81.1 Hv and 99.96 µm.