Effect of Particulate Reinforcements on the Mechanical Properties of Al6061-WC and Al6061-Gr MMCs

Abstract

This paper presents the comparative study of the mechanical properties of Al6061-Tungsten carbide composites containing Tungsten carbide (WC) particulate, and Al6061-graphite particulate composites containing graphite particles. The reinforcing particulates in the MMCs vary from 0% to 4% by weight. The 'vortex method' of production was employed to fabricate the composites, in which the reinforcements were poured into the vortex created by stirring the molten metal by means of a mechanical agitator. The composites so produced were subjected to a series of tests. The results of this study revealed that as the Tungsten carbide particle content was increased, there were significant increases in the ultimate tensile strength, hardness and Young's modulus, accompanied by a reduction in its ductility. There was, however, only a very marginal increase in the compressive strength, where as in graphite reinforced composites as the graphite content was increased, there were significant reduction in hardness and monotonic increases in the ductility, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), compressive strength and Young's modulus of the composite, An attempt is made in the paper to provide explanations for these phenomena.

An Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

“…The particulate reinforced MMCs is mainly used due to easy availability of particles and economic processing technique adopted for producing the particulate reinforced MMCs. Al alloy has been commonly used as a base metal for MMCs reinforced with a variety of fibres, particles and whiskers [6][7]. Amongst different kinds of the recently developed composites, particlereinforced metal matrix composites and, in particular, aluminium base materials have already emerged as candidates for industrial applications [8][9].…”

Effect of Wetting Agent and Carbide Volume Fraction on the Wear Response of Aluminum Matrix Composites Reinforced by WC Nanoparticles and Aluminide Particles

“…Moreover, just a small amount of heavy refractory powder as a reinforcement is enough to lead to notable mechanical property improvements [12]. Fabrication of AMCs reinforced by WC micro-particles by powder metallurgy and casting methods is currently receiving a growing research attention owing to a significant improvement of mechanical properties (at the expense, however, of ductility [13]) and increase in the wear resist-ance [14,15]. (b2) Application of mechanical stirring that can support the favorable wetting characteristics of less than 90° contact angle and provide the necessary shear forces for total particle insertion [16].…”

Manufacturing Feasibility of Al6061and Boron Carbide Particulate Reinforcement to Cast a Metal Matrix Composite with Wettability Agent

“…The earthenware particulates filled composite materials display improved resistance for indentation and found applications like automobile segments as cylinder, pistons, calipers, cylinder rings, microwave channel, vibrator segment, contactors, impellers and space structures [5]. Amongst Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) Aluminum (Al) composites have demonstrated excellent mechanical properties [6][7][8]. Sliding speed and distance, weight percentages of reinforcement and applied load has considerable impact on height loss due to friction and wear of Al6061 and Al6061-TiO 2 composites [9,10].…”