PSI - Issue 72

Dharmik Chauhan et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 72 (2025) 529–537

534

relationship is observed between sliding distance and SWR. Longer distances tend to reduce SWR because the wear process may stabilize over time and the wear rate becomes more consistent. For example, tests conducted at 4,000 m consistently show lower SWR values. The load effect is nonlinear. While higher loads sometimes enhance wear resistance due to better contact, excessive pressure under unfavourable conditions can lead to increased material removal. Speed variation has a complex influence. At higher speeds, frictional heating can dominate and deteriorate the wear surface, especially in the absence of lubrication. This results in higher SWR. In contrast, moderate speeds appear to balance stability and frictional heat generation effectively.

3.2. Vicker Hardness

A Vicker hardness testing equipment was used to assess the hardness of functionally graded aluminum composites (Guzmán et al., 2022; Irfan Ul Haq et al., 2020; Rumi et al., 2024). Specimens measured the hardness using micro Vicker Hardness test setup with dwell time as 15 s and applied load of 0.500 Kgf along with longitudinal axis at room temperature. Results are shown in table 5.

Table 5. Micro Vickers hardness values Material

Specimen

Vickers Hardness values (HV) 1 2 3

4

5

Mean

Aluminum alloy 6061

A B

096.79 094.38 123.79 134.15

107.49 102.12 099.41 126.66 141.61 108.92

100.038 127.026

FGAC

FGAC = Functionally Graded Aluminum Composites

In Table shows the Vicker Hardness of aluminum 6061 and functionally graded aluminum composites (FGAM). The aluminium alloy 6061 specimens and functionally graded aluminum composites (FGAM) were found to have a Vickers hardness of 100.038 HV 0.5, 127.026 HV 0.5 respectively.

3.3. Optical Microstructure

It exhibits the functionally graded aluminum composites using worn surface morphology. In figure 3 shows the worn surface morphology using the optical microscope. In figure 3 (a) is viewed at 200 power, whereas (b) is viewed at 100 power. Figure 3 (a) shows some crack with the wear tracks in the same directions. Figure (b) shows the high oxides appearance in material. (a) (b)

Figure 3 Optical worn surface microscope images (a) 200 μm (b) 100 μm