Microstructural, mechanical and tribological characterization on the Al based functionally graded material fabricated powder metallurgy

Abstract

The characteristics of composite materials can be enhanced by using it as functionally graded composites (FGM). In this work, four-layer FGMs are produced by using aluminum, silicon carbide, and magnesium peroxide. The entire fabrication process has been performed through the sintering process, in which, the powder methodology is used to blend the particles of each material. During the fabrication of FGM, three parameters such as sintering time, sintering temperature and compacting pressure are considered. Four layers of the FGM are formulated as 100% of pure aluminum, 90%Al+ 10%SiC, 90%Al + 5%SiC+5%MgO 2 , and 85%Al + 5%SiC+10%MgO 2 respectively. The created FGMs have been analyzed to find out the mechanical, tribological and microstructural characteristics. The microstructure and worn-out surface of the FGM layers are analyzed via the scanning electron microscopy. In the mechanical analysis, the compressive strength and hardness characteristics of FGM material are investigated. The outcomes of the mechanical analysis are exhibited that the FGMs deliver the finest compressive strength,microhardness,and macro hardness as 315 Mpa, 1.26 Gpa,and 1.87 Gpa which are higher than the composite materials. Finally, Taguchi optimization has been performed to determine the optimum process parameters in terms of mechanical characteristics. The results of the Taguchi optimization exhibited that the mechanical characteristics of FGM are highly depending upon the sintering temperature and slightly on compacting pressure and sintering time.

Review on developments of bulk functionally graded composite materials

“…However, the sintered FGCM had significant porosities, and the amount of porosity increased with increasing ceramic content. In another study, Srinivas et al [140] fabricated four-layered FGCMs with individual layer compositions of 100%Al, 90%Al + 10%SiC, 90%Al + 5%SiC + 5%MgO 2 , and 85%Al + 5%SiC + 10%MgO 2 , respectively. The effect of various processing parameters such as sintering time, temperature and compaction pressure on the mechanical and wear characteristics were systematically studied.…”

Functionally graded materials: A review of computational materials science algorithms, production techniques, and their biomedical applications

“…80 Traditional sintering techniques include hot isostatic pressing (HIP), mechanical alloying, and hot extrusion. 78 Srinivas et al 81 studied the mechanical, microstructural, and tribological characteristics of four-layered FGMs manufactured using powder metallurgy. Four layers of FGM were produced using three different materials: aluminium (Al), magnesium peroxide (MgO 2 ), and silicon carbide (SiC).…”

Experimental study on tribological behavior of aluminum–copper functionally graded material

“…Nowadays, materials like aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and titanium are utilized in many industrial applications like piston cylinders, flywheels, piping systems, cylinder liners, crank shafts, etc., wherein certain characteristics such as low weight, high impact strength, and high mechanical strength are desired. 8,18 Al is among the highly utilized materials for aircraft, marine, and automotive applications due to its lower weight but it shows restraint in its tensile and impact strength. 9 To overcome these limitations, Al-based alloys and composites were evolved.…”

“…Mechanical strength at different layers increases with an increase in nickel content. Srinivas and Balakrishna 18 studied the tribological properties of Al-based FGMs reinforced with SiC and magnesium peroxide (MgO 2 ) particles. The authors observed the decrease in wear rate at outer layers due to the presence of SiC particles.…”