Title: Surface modification of AZ61 magnesium alloy with nano-Al₂O₃ using laser cladding technique: optimisation of wear properties through hybrid GRA-PCA

Authors: S. Sundaraselvan; N. Senthilkumar

Addresses: Arasu Engineering College, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, 621502, India ' Adhiparasakthi Engineering College, Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu, 603319, India

Abstract: The aim of this research is to investigate the wear behaviour of surface modified AZ61 magnesium alloy with nanoceramic reinforcement (Al₂O₃), done by laser cladding technique. Nano-Al₂O₃ is added in three different weight proportions, viz., 5%, 10% and 15% on to the surface of AZ61 using Nd:YAG laser. Dry sliding wear behaviour of the surface modified AZ61 material is studied considering various reinforcement of nanoceramic particles, and by varying the speed and axial load in the pin-on-disc apparatus. Experiments were designed using Taguchi's design of experiments and the measured outputs, viz., wear, coefficient of friction and frictional force were analysed using grey relational analysis (GRA), coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) for multivariate optimisation by calculating multi-response performance index (MRPI). Using SEM image, distribution of particles in the magnesium alloy matrix is studied. It is observed that the % reinforcement of nanoceramic particles on the surface of AZ61 alloy is the most critical factor that contributes by 79.30% towards the MRPI, followed by 9.91% contribution by load and speed by 7.94%, as determined from analysis of variance (ANOVA). From confirmation experiment, the optimised condition shows an improved wear resistance obtained from the surface modified magnesium alloy.

Keywords: AZ61 magnesium alloy; laser cladding; grey relational analysis; GRA; principal component analysis; PCA; pin-on-disc.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAPIDM.2019.100503

International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, 2019 Vol.8 No.3, pp.221 - 242

Received: 07 Apr 2018
Accepted: 23 Jul 2018
Published online: 29 Jun 2019 *

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