Effect of Quenching and Ageing Duration on Mechanical Property of Metal Matrix Composite: A Taguchi Technique

Abstract

The present study was conducted to understand the influence of quenching media and ageing duration on hardness of aluminum metal matrix composite. The composites are subjected to three types of cooling after solutionizing at 529⁰C for 2hours and subjected to artificial ageing at 199⁰C for 4 to 12 hours instep of 4 hours.  Brinell hardness was measured as a response of heat treatment process. A mathematical model was developed relating hardness of the composites to quenching media and ageing duration for different weight fraction of composite using statistical approach. The model was checked for adequacy by regression analysis and analysis of variance. The result shows that composites which are quenched in (water + ice) attain maximum hardness for 8 hours ageing duration. The developed model has the adequate predictive capability.