Effect of SiC and WC Reinforcements on Microstructural and Mechanical Characteristics of Copper Alloy-Based Metal Matrix Composites Using Stir Casting Route

Abstract

This study focuses on a comparative analysis of mechanical behavior and microstructural characteristics of Cu matrix (C87600) based hybrid composites reinforced with SiC-Grp and WC-Grp fabricated by the stir casting process. The graphite particle percentage was kept constant, whereas the content of SiC and WC in the respective composites was varied to analyze the mechanical properties of the fabricated composites. The morphological observation was carried out by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), which revealed uniform dispersion of the reinforced particles in the hybrid composites. Clear phases of SiC and WC along with the Cu alloy were identified by the x-ray diffractometer (XRD). Further, a comparative study was conducted to analyze the mechanical behavior of the Cu-SiC-Gr and Cu-WC-Gr hybrid composites. With the addition of the hard ceramic materials, the tensile behavior and microhardness of both the Cu-based MMCs were improved. The WC-Gr reinforced composites exhibited higher mechanical properties than the SiC-Gr reinforced hybrid composites. Further, the fracture surfaces were also characterized to study the tensile behavior of the fabricated copper-based hybrid composites, which shows that ductile fracture was mainly associated with both hybrid composites.

Influence of tungsten carbide-cobalt reinforcement on flexural behavior of iron-based composite developed through microwave

“…The stress-strain curve Figure 12(c) showed a zig-zag profile because every composition percentage of powders materials interacts uniquely with the microwave during coupling. The low skin depth, improper mixing due to difference in density 7.9 g/cm 3 for SS316, and 8.9 g/cm 3 for EWAC (Ni-based), and also a difference in melting point 1371°C-1400°C for SS316 and 1455°C for EWAC(Ni-based), 22 of each powder the some of the nickel particles might be in semi-molten stage, which contributed for weakness in strength and pulled out at some points during flexural strength testing, while on the other hand, the properly melted nickel particles improve the flexural strength. Different responses of semi-molten and molten nickel particles in SS316+15EWAC gave a zig-zag trend, as shown in Figure 12(c).…”

“…The earlier researcher also claimed WC has hard constituents, and the addition of that led to a meaningful boost in the microhardness of the composites. 3 Also, the variation in microhardness results might be due to the concentrated heating of the castings when coupled with microwaves, which permitted the WC particles to into minor particles after decomposition. 31 The microhardness values and indentation on the matrix and reinforcement are presented in Figure 20.…”

“…The WC-Gr reinforcement revealed superior mechanical properties than the SiC-Gr reinforced hybrid composites. 3 Ostolaza et al claimed laser-directed energy deposition (L-DED) technique is more suitable for multi-material additive manufacturing (AM) than conventional processes. The L-DED applicable for alloy design, functionally graded materials (FGM), and MMC.…”

An Investigation of the Thermal Properties of LM13- Quartz- Fly-Ash Hybrid Composites

“…Also AMCs exhibit improved resistance to corrosion and deformation, combined with excellent strength and elastic modulus [14,15]. AMCs reinforced with particles derived from oxides and carbides of ceramic materials such as SiC, Al 2 O 3 , B 4 C, SiO 2 , WC and MgO possess superior mechanical, thermal and electrical properties and were shown to perform better than their monolithic metallic counterparts in severe operating conditions requiring resistance to high temperatures and pressures [16][17][18][19]. Karthikraja et al reported that the inclusion of SiC and Al 2 O 3 particles within an aluminum alloy (Al 7075) matrix resulted in the production of stronger interfaces between the particles and the matrix alloy, which in turn reduced the rate of corrosion [20].…”

Development of iron-based composite materials through electromagnetic radiations in a domestic microwave oven

“…The WC-Gr reinforcement revealed better mechanical properties than the SiC-Gr reinforced hybrid composites. 10 Schnell et al processed diamond-reinforced MMC for abrasive tools with extravagant geometric forms using the powder bed fusion technique (PBF), and the results revealed the effect of different diamond fractions on the absorbed energy. 11 Xin et al examined the grain growth and microstructural evolution of Ag–Cu/diamond composites during the SLM process via a thermodynamic analysis; also this work opened new tracks of high-performance Ag–Cu/diamond MMCs in several application fields.…”