EFFECT OF ALUMINUM (AL1100) AND SILICON CARBIDE ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Abstract

Metal matrix composite (MMCs) are next generation materials. MMCs add higher strength and stiffness than the matrix alloy, excellent wear resistance and lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). Additional functionalities can be designed into some MMCs through appropriate selection of constituents. One of the important objectives of metal matrix composites is to develop a material with a judicious combination of toughness and stiffness. It decreases the sensitivity to cracks and flaws and at the same time increases the static and dynamic properties. The reinforcement effect occurs due to the extraordinary high strength of whiskers with diameters below a few micrometers. In general, Metal matrix composites consist of at least two components. One is the metal matrix and the second is reinforcement. In all cases, the matrix is defined as a metal, but a pure metal is rarely used as the matrix. It is generally an alloy. In the productivity of the composite, the matrix and the reinforcement are mixed together. Advance composite materials like Al/SiC metal matrix composite is gradually becoming very important materials in manufacturing industries e.g. aerospace, automotive and automobile industries due to their superior properties such as light weight, low density, high strength to weight ratio, high hardness, high temperature and thermal shock resistance, superior wear and corrosive resistance, high specific modulus, high fatigue strength etc. In this study aluminum (Al100)/SiC ,Silicon carbide reinforced particles metal matrix composites (MMCs) are fabricated by Melt stirring technique. The MMCs bars and circular plates are prepared with varying the reinforced particles by weight fraction ranging from 2%, 4%, 6%. The average reinforced particles size of SiC are 220 mesh, 300 mesh, 400 mesh respectively