Influence of marble waste reinforcement on mechanical properties and sliding wear behavior of an aluminium alloy metal matrix composite

This study thoroughly analyse the effects of waste marble dust reinforcement in a metal matrix composite made of AA6061 aluminium alloy. The 3-weight percentage, 5-weight percentage, and 7-weight percentage of waste marble dust particles are used as reinforcement. The stir casting technique is used to fabricate the AA6061 based metal matrix composites. Marble dust was preheated at 200 °C before being used as reinforcement. Mechanical properties (tensile strength, micro-hardness, and impact strength) and sliding wear characteristics of the fabricated composites are studied. The sliding wear characteristics of composites were simulated under the pin-on-disc tribometer with varying control parameters. The selected control parameters are sliding velocity (150 rpm, 300 rpm, 450 rpm, 600 rpm), normal load (5 N, 10 N, 15 N, 20 N), and temperature (25 °C, 40 °C, 60 °C, 80 °C). Taguchi design is also used for an optimization of control parameters. Results indicate that a composite reinforced with 5-weight percent marble dust has good mechanical and sliding wear resistance properties compared to 3-weight percent and 7-weight percent marble dust reinforced composites.