Characterization of Silicon Carbide Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites

TLDR

The study investigates the microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear behavior of as‑cast SiC‑reinforced aluminum matrix composites. Composites containing 0, 5, 10, and 20 wt % SiC were fabricated by stir casting and characterized by microstructural analysis, Vickers hardness, tensile testing, and wear testing. SiC reinforcement increased hardness and tensile strength, peaking at 20 wt % SiC, but also caused particle clustering, non‑homogeneous distribution, and increased porosity, and pin‑on‑disc tests demonstrated enhanced wear resistance.

Abstract

The Purpose of this work is to study about the microstructures, mechanical properties and wear characteristics of as cast silicon carbide (SiC) reinforced aluminum matrix composites (AMCs). AMCs of varying SiC content (0, 5, 10 and 20 wt. %) were prepared by stir casting process. Microstructures, Vickers hardness, tensile strength and wear performance of the prepared composites were analyzed. The results showed that introducing SiC reinforcements in aluminum (Al) matrix increased hardness and tensile strength and 20 wt. % SiC reinforced AMC showed maximum hardness and tensile strength. Microstructural observation revealed clustering and non-homogeneous distribution of SiC particles in the Al matrix. Porosities were observed in microstructures and increased with increasing wt. % of SiC reinforcements in AMCs. Pin-on-disc wear test indicated that reinforcing Al matrix with SiC particles increased wear resistance.