Effect of SiC Content on Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Al2024-SiC Composites
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Effect of SiC Content on Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Al2024-SiC Composites Dipankar Dey 1
&
Abhijit Bhowmik 1 & Ajay Biswas 1
Received: 16 June 2020 / Accepted: 5 October 2020 # Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract Aluminium matrix composites are scientifically engineered materials possessing higher potential in automotive, aerospace and defence applications. Therefore this study focuses on the fabrication of aluminium matrix composites reinforced with micro SiC particulates by stir casting process and investigating the effect of SiC content on mechanical properties as well as wear behaviour of the prepared composites. Different weight percentages (wt.%) of silicon carbide particulates (0, 3, 6 and 9%) were used. Stirring speed, time and other parameters were kept constant during the casting process. Microstructural characterization, tensile, hardness and wear tests were carried out of the casted samples. XRD analysis depicted the existence of SiC particulates in the prepared composites. Microstructural analysis confirms even distribution of reinforcement particulates. The experimental results revealed that, strength and hardness of the prepared composites improved with SiC addition. Wear resistance of SiC reinforced composites were also higher than that of the matrix alloy. The wear mechanism of matrix alloy was adhesive, whereas the wear mechanism changed to abrasive in case of SiC reinforced composites. The prepared composites exhibit augmented mechanical and tribological properties and can be used as a promising material in applications such as gears, drive shafts, brake drums and bearings. Keywords Al2024 . SiC . Stir casting . Mechanical properties . Tribological properties
1 Introduction Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are extensively employed in different industries as they offer high strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and thermal stability compared to monolithic materials [1]. Aluminium alloy 2024 introduced in the year 1931 possess good machining characteristics, fatigue resistance, high strength and high hardness; and is extensively used in aircrafts and automobiles. But Al2024 possess low tribological properties and hence there is a requirement of developing a composite having better wear resistance without negotiating the strength [2]. Fabrication of AMC is a challenging task in terms of homogeneity in reinforcement distribution. There are many processes adopted for AMC fabrication like stir casting, powder metallurgy, squeeze * Dipankar Dey [email protected] 1
Mechanical Engineering Department, NIT Agartala, Tripura 799046, India
casting, diffusion bonding and friction stir processing. Among them, stir casting is one of the most efficient and economical process used for AMC fabrication. In stir casting process, reinforcement particles are mixed with molten metal with the help of mechanical stirring [3]. SiC [4, 5], Al2O3 [6], TiB2 [7], Si3N4 [8], Fly Ash [9], B4C [10] and Gr [11] are often used as reinforcements. Among them, SiC is one of the best s
