INFLUENCE OF FORGING ON TRIBOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AL6061-TIO2 COMPOSITE

Al6061 matrix composite reinforced with 8wt%TiO2 particles were synthesized by stir casting technique. Cast Al6061 alloy and Al6061-8%TiO2 composites were hot forged at a temperature of 500oC. Both as cast and hot forged Al6061 alloy and Al6061-8%TiO2 composites were subjected to microstructural studies, microhardness test and friction and wear studies. Co-efficient of friction of hot forged composite reduces with addition of TiO2 in both as cast and hot forged conditions. An increase in load leads to drastic reduction in co-efficient of friction for both as cast and hot forged alloy and its composites. an increase in sliding velocity has increased the COF. Wear studies on as cast and hot forged composites have revealed that wear rate decreases with addition of TiO2 particulates in the matrix alloy at all loads and sliding velocities. It is observed that wear rate decreases with the increase in sliding distance and increases with increase in load.