Tribological Investigation on B83 Babbitt reinforced with silicon carbide
Keywords:
Wear test, B83 Babbit, Pin on Disc, Composite material, Scanning Electron microscopy, Tribology, Metal matrix compositesAbstract
In this research work the stir casting method is used to fabricate babbit metal matrix composite by
reinforcing silicon carbide with 2%, 4%, 6% respectively. Wear test was conducted at ambient temperature by using
lubricating oil. Pin on disc apparatus was used to conduct wear test by considering different affecting parameters i.e.
Normal load, sliding velocity, sliding distance. The specimen pins of composite materials were tested against EN8 disc.
Result of wear test is studied and compared with existing babbit. The babbit+2% SiC composite possesses minimum wear
rate. Experimental validation was carried out by using Design of Experiment (DOE) approach. It is clear that % of SiC
has high influence on wear and it is an important control factor to be taken into consideration during the wear process
followed by applied loads and sliding speed respectively. The microstructure of composite material after conducting
wear test is studied by using Scanning Electron Microscopy. By addition of 2% SiC in Babbit alloy, microstructure get
refined which leads to increase in wear resistance. From this study it is concluded that wear resistance is increases by
addition 2% silicon carbide as compared to the existing babbit alloy and other composition of material.
