Mechanical and tribological characterization of stir-cast Al-SiCpcomposites

Abstract

In the current scenario, hard ceramic particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites have a massive number of applications in aircraft, automobile, structural, non-structural, marine and transportation applications like the drive shaft, connecting rod and brake drum. The foremost objective of this investigation is for assessing the mechanical and the tribological behavior of silicon carbide particulate reinforced with AA6351 composites was manufactured by a liquid metallurgy process (Stir casting). The weight fraction of silicon carbide(SiC) varied from 0 to 12 in steps of 4. Hardness and tensile strength of the obtained composite and the plain alloy were investigated. The microstructure of manufactured composite and the plain alloy were assessed by an scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM analysis confirmed the nearly homogeneous dispersion of SiC particles in Al matrix. The wear resistance, tensile strength and hardness of the composites have significantly improved by the presence of reinforcement content.