Studies on Mechanical Behaviour of Aluminium-Silicon Carbide-Copper Metal Matrix Composite

Abstract

Abstract. Metal matrix composites (MMC) are the combination of two or more dissimilar base metals which in turn gives new metal. Composites have better properties than their base material. Nowadays, composites play the major role in manufacturing industries especially in automotive industry. This paper reveals the reinforcement of Aluminium alloy (6061) with Silicon Carbide and Copper in different ratios to produce new composite using stir casting technique in normal atmospheric temperature. In this work, mechanical behavior of the composite namely tensile strength, hardness and Flexural strength were evaluated. It was observed that sample 2 shows highest tensile strength of 155 MPa with hardness 73. The result shows that the hybrid composite had better mechanical property. IntroductionNowadays composite materials are replacing conventional materials due to their high strength to weight ratio, bio degradable nature, wear and corrosion resistance. Mohan Kumar et al [1] found the Ultimate tensile strength of Al-4.5 wt% Cu-2 wt % Fly ash -3 wt%. SiC composites to be higher than the Base Matrix composite of Al -4.5wt%of Copper alloy. They stated that this material exhibits high strength to weight ratio and good fatigue resistance. Anilkumar et al [2] stated that the bonding between the matrix material and Fly ash is good and he also observed that there is no gap between the Particle and matrix Material. Itskos et al [3] discovered that by adding the Fly Ash to the MMC, it enhances the tribo-performances of the composites. Shivaprakash et al [4] found that the heat treated Fly ash composite has comparatively better characteristics to non heat treated composites, especially the wear performance is better for water quenched specimen than air cooled specimen and non-heat treated specimens. Arun Kumar et al [5] stated that the alumina coated stirrer blades will prevent the migration of ferrous ions from stirrer to the molten metal. They also found that the e-glass and Fly ash composites with aluminium (Al 6061) increase the tensile strength by 60-70%. Vivekananthan et al [6] stated that by adding the Fly ash and Mg in aluminum results in increased hardness from 58BHN to 86 BHN. Mahendra et al [7] found that the fluidity and density of the composites decreases while tensile strength, impact strength, compression strength and dry sliding wear resistantance increase due to increase in percentage of Flyash. Surendra Kumar Patel et al [8] discovered that both the reinforcements 50% SiC and 50% of Zircon sand on aluminium ADC-12 alloy give better compressive strength compared to others. Ramanpreet Singh and Rahul Singla [9] stated that by increasing the weight fraction of Silicon Carbide, the wear rate gets reduced linearly. Ashok Atulker et al [10] found that the wear rate remains constant more or less in the pressure range of 0.5N/mm 2 to 0.6N/mm 2 , but the wear rate increases steadily up to the normal pressure of 0.5N/mm 2 , and increases rapidly that due to adhesive wear. Vinod Kumar et al [11] stated that the wear rate o...

Manufacturing, Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of Stir Cast Aluminium 7075/SiC Metal Matrix Composite

“…The presence of hard SiC particles as reinforcements in a ductile matrix of aluminium alloys (grades of 2124, 5083, 6063) decreased the impact toughness of metal matrix composites. The manufactured composites were tested to determine their tensile and impact properties and the results prove that the sample with a higher percentage of silicon carbide has better mechanical properties, comparable [13][14][15]. Stir casting offers better matrix-particle bonding due to the stirring action of particles into the melts.…”