Microstructure, Worn Surface, Wear Assessment and Taguchi’s Approach
of Titanium Alloy Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites for Automotive
Applications
Authors: Ramana Murty Naidu S. C. V. , Kalidas N. , Venkatachalam Sivaraman , Mukuloth Srinivasnaik , Asary Abdul Rab , Naveenprabhu V. , Vishnu R. , Vellingiri Suresh 
Published: February 2024

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Lightweight materials are in great demand in the automotive sector to enhance
system performance. The automotive sector uses composite materials to strengthen
the physical and mechanical qualities of light weight materials and to improve
their functionality. Automotive elements such as the body shell, braking system,
steering, engine, battery, seat, dashboard, bumper, wheel, door panelling, and
gearbox are made of lightweight materials. Lightweight automotive metals are
gradually replacing low-carbon steel and cast iron in automobile manufacture.
Aluminium alloys, Magnesium alloys, Titanium alloys, advanced high-strength
steel, Ultra-high strength steel, carbon fiber-reinforced polymers, and polymer
composites are examples of materials used for light weighing or automobile
decreased weight. The ever-present demand for fuel-efficient and ecologically
friendly transport vehicles has heightened awareness of lowering weight and
performance development. Titanium alloys properties are increasing in the
variety of applications in automotive parts such as fuel tanks, exhaust pipes,
engine parts such as connecting rods, engine valves, reinforcing and stiffening
parts, sub frames, body panels, fuel cell components, and electrification
components. Motorcycles and automobiles that demand high dynamic performance,
such as racing cars and bikes, commercial vehicles, and cargo trucks, must
increase time on the circuit and have a good reaction. As a result, titanium
alloys are frequently used to significantly reduce weight while increasing the
performance output of automotive systems. The innovative investigation of
titanium metal matrix (Ti-6Al-4V) composite with added multi reinforcement of
tungsten carbide particles (WCp) and graphite particles (Grp) were examined on
its tribological behavior. The Ti-6Al-4V built-in different composites
Ti-6Al-4V/4%WCp/4%Gr and Ti-6Al- 4V/8%WCp/8%Gr with a size of WCp and Gr was
44μm and 15μm invented through stir casting. The investigations were carried out
as wear experiments using a pin-on-disc tribometer in dry sliding circumstances
at three distinct load (15N, 20N, 25N), sliding distance (1000m, 2000m, 3000m),
and sliding velocity (2.5m/s, 4.5m/s, 6.5m/s). The significance of various
strictures on wear analysis was investigated using Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal
array approach. The findings of Taguchi’s and design of experiment show that the
variables most likely to have an impact on wear loss is load, sliding distance,
and sliding velocity. The composites bonding structure and wear surface were
examined using an optical microscope and a field emission scanning electron
microscope. The wear tests reveal that the treated Titanium alloy hybrid metal
matrix composites with tungsten carbide and graphite particles have excellent
wear qualities with a sliding velocity of 6.5 m/s and a load of up to 35 N in
the region with the lowest wear loss of 0.039mm<sup>3</sup>/m. This study adds
additional data to the dry slide wear resistance of composite consisting of
Ti-6Al-4V alloy and reinforced through WCp with Grp, which are ideal for usage
in automotive and transportation applications. The automotive industries
employed dynamic conditions resulting in wear loss. To reduce wear and increase
vehicle economy and performance, the tribological behavior was researched.</div></div>