This research analyses physical and anti-wear properties of a functional grade Cu–Ni–Si/TiC, manufactured using horizontal- centrifuge cast process.
The microstructural analysis conducted radially at wall thicknesses 1, 8 and 13 mm from outer, showed an increasing gradient of particle distribution providing 41% improved hardness at the inner p eriphery and NiSi2 phase formation was determined by XRD analysis.
Outer (1–8 mm) and inner (9–15 mm) wall thicknesses of composite was tested against tensile load; later fractural analysis showed ductility for the outer and brittleness for inner.
Resistance to wear of inner was experimented using pin-on-disc tribometer. Variable parameters were fixed according to Taguchi’s L27 array.
Optimal tribo-parameters (10 N, 2 m s−1, 500 m) for minimum rate of wear were determined using ratio of Signal to Noise.
Contribution of each influential parameter and their interactions are predicted using Analysis of Variance.
Results depict that slide velocity had the highest influence (45.56%) over rate of wear, followed by applied load (21.82%) and slide distance (14.63%).
Wear analysis on tested specimen revealed Mechanical Mixed Layers; later confirmed by EDX.