Production and Properties of Silicon Carbide Particles Reinforced Aluminium Alloy Composites
Production and Properties of Silicon Carbide Particles Reinforced Aluminium Alloy Composites
most widely used materials for reinforcement of aluminium [1,2]. The materials are used in the preparation of composite materials
Different methods have been adopted for fabrication of metal divided into two parts matrix and reinforcement. The chosen alloy
matrix composites. Among them, the conventional foundry based (Al-Si) as the basis indicated chemical composition after the casting
processes are more favorable in obtaining near net shape components process in table (1). The reinforcement material included silicon
at high production rates and low costs. In recent years, the stir casting carbide in particle size (100-150 µm). Alloy was prepared by casting
technique has attracted the interest of many researchers. Rheocasting, in metals mold and mass information. Smelting process carried out at
Compo casting, Disintegrated melt deposition are the variants of the (750o c) in electric furnace with high nozzle crucible made of silicon
P P
stir casting technique. This Technique involves incorporating the carbide, As it has been melting pieces of element aluminum, and
ceramic particles into the melt and stirring by means of small pieces of silicon were added to the molten aluminium, then
mechanical impeller[3,4]. pieces of iron are added to the molten. All elements were added to
W. Zhou et al. studied a composites based on two aluminum molten aluminum wrapped with aluminum foil. For the purpose of
alloys (A536 and 6061) reinforced with 10% or 20% volume homogenizing molten is rotated continuously by rod graphite and
fraction of SiC particles were produced by gravity casting and a repeat the process for the other elements. Then the metallic molten
novel two-step mixing method was applied successfully to improve has poured in die casting made of steel and pre-heated to a
the wettability and distribution of the particles. The SiC particles temperature (250oc) to prevent sudden cooling.
P P
were observed to be located predominantly in the inter-dendrite Composite materials are prepared by stir casting, as the base alloy
regions, and a thermal lag model is proposed to explain the cut into small pieces for the purpose of weighting and calculating
concentration of particles [5]. K.R.Sureshet al. studied tensile and weight fraction of silicon carbide by 5%, and then the weighted
wear properties of aluminum composites fabricated by squeeze pieces were placed in crucible inside furnace electric fixed
casting method and checked uniform particulate distribution. The temperature at (750oc) to ensure full melting ingot, then ceramic
P P
squeeze cast composites show peak strength of 216 MPa showing an particles (SiC) enveloped aluminium foils are added to the molten
increase of 11.6% in tensile strength. The new composites also have and pre-heated to (250oc) in order to remove moisture and improving
P P
improved wear resistance when compared to gravity cast composites the dispersion of particles within the molten. A small amount of Mg
8T
[6]. Recent investigations find that the incorporation of nano- was added to ensure good wettability of particles with molten metal. 8T
191
International Journal of Mining, Metallurgy & Mechanical Engineering (IJMMME) Volume 1, Issue 3 (2013) ISSN 2320-4052; EISSN 2320-4060
matrix. All tested were conducted in accordance with ASTM as the reinforcement content of silicon carbide 21 weight percentage. 8T
standards. Tensile tests were performed at room temperature using This is due an increase in the percentage of the hard and brittle phase
machine in accordance with ASTM E8-95 standards and. The tensile 8T 8T
of the ceramic body in the alloy.
specimens of diameter 12.5Cmm and gauge
.Ultimate length
Tensile and62.5
Yieldmm were
Strength
machined from the composite with gauge length of specimen parallel C .Ultimate Tensile and Yield Strength
to longitudinal axis of the casting. The Rockwell hardness values The figure (3) reveals that the ultimate tensile strength of
8T
were conducted in accordance with ASTM E18-79 standards. composite increases about 98 percentage by addition the
A Rockwell hardness tester was used steel ball indenter diameter of reinforcement. Similarly figure (4) shows the increase in yield
1.56 mm, minor load 10 Kg and major load of 100 Kg. strength of Al-Si/SiC about 97.7 percentage as the reinforcement
Charpy impact tests were conducted on notched specimens
8T
P P
D. Impact Energy
8T Figure (5) is a graph showing the effect of reinforcement content
on the impact energy of Al-Si matrix alloy. It can be seen that as the
8T 8T
(c) (d)
Fig.1 Optical micrographs at X50.(a) Unreinforced Al-Si Alloy.
(b) Al-Si Alloy with 7% SiC. (c) Al-Si Alloy with 14 % SiC.
(d) Al-Si Alloy with 21 % SiC.
192
International Journal of Mining, Metallurgy & Mechanical Engineering (IJMMME) Volume 1, Issue 3 (2013) ISSN 2320-4052; EISSN 2320-4060
80.00 90.00
70.00 80.00
60.00 70.00
50.00 60.00
40.00 50.00
30.00 40.00
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00
Silicon Carbide (Wt. %) Silicon Carbide (Wt. %)
Fig. 2 Effect of Silicon Carbide on hardness of Al-Si alloy. Fig. 4 Effect of Silicon Carbide on yield strength of
Al-Si alloy.
120.00 18.00
16.00
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa)
100.00
Impact Energy (Joules)
80.00 14.00
60.00 12.00
40.00 10.00
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00
Silicon Carbide (Wt. %) Silicon Carbide (Wt. %)
Fig. 3 Effect of Silicon Carbide on ultimate tensile strength of Al- Fig. 5 Effect of Silicon Carbide on impact energy of Al-Si alloy.
Si alloy.
193
International Journal of Mining, Metallurgy & Mechanical Engineering (IJMMME) Volume 1, Issue 3 (2013) ISSN 2320-4052; EISSN 2320-4060
IX. CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
194