Mechanical properties of Al-SiC Nano Composites fabricated by Friction Stir Processing

Abstract

Abstract. Aluminium metal matrix composites finds its application in aerospace, automobile, and energy industry owing to their excellent mechanical properties such as low density high strength, light weight, high strength-to-weight ratio and fatigue and corrosion resistances. Further the addition of nano size particles improves mechanical properties of the composites. The present work is focused on the mechanical performances of aluminium SiC nano composites. Instead of making bulk composites, the surface layers on the substrate improve the mechanical properties. For the fabrication of such surface composite layer, the new modification technique, friction stir processing (FSP) is used. FSP technique is used to produce defect-free surface composite with a good bonding and uniform distribution of reinforcement particles within an aluminium matrix. Various process parameters such as rotational speed, transverse feed, and volume fraction of nano SiC, on mechanical properties is investigated. The mechanical properties such as micro hardness and flexural strength were measured using micro hardness tester and universal tensile testing machine respectively.. In addition to that the morphology of the specimen is examined through scanning electron microscope to study them in detail. . IntroductionIn the modern era, a material with high strength is a basic requirement for various engineering applications. In order to satisfy these needs, composite materials have found a wide range of applications in various industrial components and structures because of their improved mechanical properties. Among various types of composites materials available, metal matrix composites plays a vital role in terms of high strength or stiffness, low density, good corrosion as well as fatigue resistance. For further improving the mechanical properties of such composites, the widely practiced method is the incorporation of either micron/Nano-sized inorganic particle in the metal matrix. Most of the properties improvement by incorporation of such nano particles in aluminium metal matrix composites fabricated by friction stir processing route is not fully explored yet.

Produção de compósitos de matriz de alumínio superficial por friction stir processing

“…Dentre os diversos tipos de compósitos, os compósitos de matriz metálica (CMMs), são os que apresentam elevada resistência mecânica e rigidez, baixa densidade, elevada resistência à fadiga e à corrosão, sendo que os métodos de fabricação para a obtenção do CMM ainda não foram totalmente explorados (ARUN PREMNATH et al, 2018). Os tipos mais comuns de CMMs são aqueles reforçados com fibras ou partículas cerâmicas, como silicatos, carbetos e grafite que são os responsáveis por aumentar a resistência ao desgaste e por permitir o uso em temperaturas mais elevadas.…”