Influence of Steel Shots Size on Tensile Properties of Magnetic Moulded MMC

Abstract

The Magnetic moulding process is an extension of lost foam process, in which an Expendable Poly Styrene (EPS) pattern is surrounded by steel shots bonded together by the action of an induced electromagnetic field. Magnetic moulding is a potential alternative for conventional sand casting, which has disadvantages like low thermal conductivity and low permeability, which affects the metallurgical and mechanical properties of the casting. In the present work Al/SiCp metal matrix composite (MMC) samples are moulded by magnetic moulding technique, using different size steel shots viz. 0.18 mm, 0.6mm, 1mm and the tensile properties of the moulded samples were evaluated. The fractured surfaces of the tensile samples were also examined using SEM. The results show that medium size steel shots gives better tensile properties.

Numerical Modelling and Simulation of Heat Transfer during Magnetic Moulding of Al/SiCp Metal Matrix Composites

“…In addition, this coating has the optimum permeability for the hot gases to escape. Steel shots of 0.6 mm diameter were selected as it is the optimum size for producing better properties of the cast [20]. The current induced in the coil was around 5 A for about 30 s, as beyond this time, overheating of the coil occurs, resulting in coil damage.…”

“…Following the definition of the magnetic field module, the heat transfer module was set up, where the aluminium domain was defined as the phase change medium with 360 kJ/kg as the latent heat of fusion and 933.47 K as the phase transition temperature; the steel shots domain was defined as a porous media with a porosity value of 0.6 mm (Table 2). Ronald et al studied the influence of steel shots on the properties of the cast and found that steel shots of 0.6 mm produced a cast with better mechanical properties when compared with 0.1 mm and 1 mm steel shots [20]. Hence, steel shots of 0.6 mm were chosen as the mould material for magnetic moulding in this study.…”

“…Hence, steel shots of 0.6 mm were chosen as the mould material for magnetic moulding in this study. The aluminium domain Ronald et al studied the influence of steel shots on the properties of the cast and found that steel shots of 0.6 mm produced a cast with better mechanical properties when compared with 0.1 mm and 1 mm steel shots [20]. Hence, steel shots of 0.6 mm were chosen as the mould material for magnetic moulding in this study.…”