Development of Aluminium Based Silicon Carbide Particulate Metal Matrix Composite

Abstract

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) have evoked a keen interest in recent times for potential applications in
aerospace and automotive industries owing to their superior strength to weight ratio and high temperature resistance. The
widespread adoption of particulate metal matrix composites for engineering applications has been hindered by the high
cost of producing components. Although several technical challenges exist with casting technology yet it can be used to
overcome this problem. Achieving a uniform distribution of reinforcement within the matrix is one such challenge, which
affects directly on the properties and quality of composite material. In the present study a modest attempt has been made
to develop aluminium based silicon carbide particulate MMCs with an objective to develop a conventional low cost method
of producing MMCs and to obtain homogenous dispersion of ceramic material. To achieve these objectives two stepmixing method of stir casting technique has been adopted and subsequent property analysis has been made. Aluminium
(98.41% C.P) and SiC (320-grit) has been chosen as matrix and reinforcement material respectively. Experiments have
been conducted by varying weight fraction of Sic (8%, 12%, 16%, and 20%) while keeping all other parameters constant.
The results indicated that the ‘developed method’ is quite successful to obtain uniform dispersion of reinforcement in the
matrix. An increasing trend of hardness and impact strength with increase in weight percentage of SiC has been observed.
The best results (maximum hardness 40.5 BHN & maximum impact strength of 32N-m.) have been obtained at 20%
weight fraction of SiC. The results were further justified by comparing with other investigators.