Microstructural Characterization and Mechanical Behaviour of SiC and Kaoline Reinforced Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites Fabricated Through Powder Metallurgy Technique

Abstract

In this study, the effect of naturally available and low-cost kaoline particles on the microstructural and mechanical behaviour of Al-SiC-Kaoline Hybrid metal matrix composite was investigated. Al-10% SiC-x% Kaoline (X =0, 2, 4, 6, 8) composite samples were fabricated through powder metallurgy technique by applying a compaction pressure of 350 MPa. The fabricated composite samples were subjected to Density, Hardness, tensile and impact tests to study the mechanical behaviour of fabricated hybrid composite. The presence of SiC and Kaoline reinforcements was confirmed by using SEM and X-Ray Diffraction analysis. It was observed that the maximum ultimate tensile strength (U.T.S) and maximum Yield Strength (Y.S) of the hybrid composite were found to be 263 MPa and 202 MPa for Al-10%SiC-4%kaoline reinforcement. The formation of the intermetallic compound such as Al 2 Cu was observed in XRD and SEM analysis for Al-10% SiC-6 % kaoline and Al-10% SiC-8% of kaoline reinforcement which leads to decrease in the U.T.S and Y.S of fabricated specimens. The impact strength of Al-10%SiC-8% kaoline found to be decreased by 44.4% compared to unreinforced Aluminium due to the presence of harder SiC and Kaoline reinforcements particles. To study the fracture mechanism, Scanning Electron Microscopy study was carried on the fractured Tensile specimens which reveal that ductile fracture in unreinforced Al, Al-10% SiC, Al-10% SiC-2% Kaoline due to the formation of dimples and Brittle fracture was observed in Al-10% SiC-4% Kaoline, Al-10% SiC-6% Kaoline and Al-10% SiC-8% Kaoline due to the existence of cleavages and microcracks.

Mechanical Property and Corrosion Behavior of Powder-Metallurgy-Processed 3D Graphene-Networks-Reinforced Al Matrix Composites

“…The experimental density of sintered pure aluminum and 3DGN/Al composites samples was determined using the Archimedean method. The experimental density as a percentage of the theoretical density is the relative density, which can be used to characterize the densification [46]. The Vickers hardness (HV) of the developed composites was tested by a hardness tester (HWDM-3) at a test load of 9.8 N and dwell time of 10 s. The average hardness values of five sets for each sample were evaluated to ensure the accuracy of the results.…”

Influence of microwave sintering temperatures on mechanical and microstructural Behavior of Al/SiC/snail shell hybrid composite synthesized through powder metallurgy technique

“…With an increase in the SiC wt % from 2 wt% to 6 wt%, the U.T.S and compression strength were found to be increased and the maximum U. composite. 10,25 As the agglomerations and reinforcement powders have different deformation capacities, triaxial stresses are generated during the loading condition. These triaxial stresses create uneven expansions at the interfaces and generate dislocation defects when the cold compacts undergo a sintering process, which in turn deteriorates the ductility of the composite.…”

“…Synthesized composites were tested mechanically by performing a tensile test as per ASTM E8 standards, compression test according to ASTM E9 standards on the micro Universal Testing Machine (U.T.M) of the M30 model. 24,25 The Vickers hardness test was carried out in accordance with the ASTM E384-16 specifications on the ECONOMET VH1MD Vickers Microhardness testing instrument with a load of 25 N and a dwell time of 10 s. 9,26 The porosity and density of the developed composites were measured using Archimedes’ principle and rule of mixtures method respectively. 27 The elemental constituents and the reinforcement distribution were identified by conducting XRD and SEM analysis for the synthesized composite.…”

Impact of nano sized SiC and Gr on mechanical properties of aerospace grade Al7075 composites

“…Consequently, developed hybrid composite production may be identified to the grain refinement process of the Al alloy caused by the addition of SiC and Gr particulates. The dispersal of hard particles in Al matrix is a vital requirement for enhancement of the mechanical strength of the hybrid composites [25][26][27]. The microscopic study shows that the grain around hard reinforcements is much finer when compared to the grains around reinforcements free matrix alloy.…”