"Optimization of wear rate and coefficient of friction for AA7068/TiB2/fly ash hybrid composite: A tribological study and ANOVA-SN ratio analysis"

This article investigates the tribological behaviour of hybrid AA7068 reinforced with TiB₂ and fly-ash particulates (up to 5 wt%) fabricated using the conventional stir casting method. The hybrid metal matrix composite (HMMC) comprises 1 wt% TiB₂ as the primary reinforcement and 2, 3, and 4 wt% fly-ash as secondary reinforcement. To enhance strength and hardness, specimens were artificially aged at 195°C, 210°C, and 225°C for six hours, followed by air cooling. Tribological tests were performed on a pin-on-disc apparatus against an EN31 steel disc to evaluate wear loss, temperature rise, applied load, and coefficient of friction (CoF). The study highlights the role of fly-ash and TiB₂ particulates in improving wear resistance. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the impact of wear parameters. The findings demonstrate that increasing particulate content in the alloy matrix significantly improves the wear characteristics of the hybrid composite. Furthermore, the study underscores the growing integration of data-driven approaches in mechanical engineering for optimizing experimental processes and achieving economical results. All experiments adhered to ASTM standards.