Comparative Analysis of Hybrid Composites Based on A356 and ZA-27 Alloys regarding Their Tribological Behaviour

The comparative analysis of the two hybrid composites, obtained by the compocasting process, based on A356 and ZA-27 alloys and reinforced with 10 wt. % SiC and 0, 1 and 3 wt. % graphite (Gr) is presented. Optimisation of their tribological behaviour was performed by the Taguchi method and the artificial neural network (ANN). Tribological tests were performed on a block-on-disk tribometer, at three sliding speeds, three normal loads and a sliding distance of 600 m, without lubrication. Results obtained by the ANOVA showed that the hybrid composites based on A356 alloy have the better wear resistance and that the composite reinforced with 10 wt. % SiC and 1 wt. % Gr has the lowest wear rate. The lowest coefficient of friction was obtained for a composite based on ZA-27 alloy reinforced with 10 wt. % SiC, at a normal load of 10 N and sliding speed of 1 m/s.