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Abstract

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) with improved thermal conductivity, abrasion resistance, tribology, creep resistance, dimensional  stability, good stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratio have many application in the aerospace, automobile, mechatronics components (such as sensor) and other engineering outfits. In the present work, the aim is to develop aluminum (AA1170) based silicon carbide particulate metal matrix composites with an objective to develop a conventional low-cost method of producing MMC's and to obtain homogenous dispersion of silicon carbide. To achieve these objectives two step-mixing methods of stir casting technique has been used. AA1170 and SiC (3, 9, 29 and 45 μm grit sizes) have been chosen as matrix and reinforcement materials, respectively. Experiments have been conducted by varying weight fraction of SiC (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 %). The results indicated that the stir casting method is quite successful in obtaining uniform dispersion of reinforcement in the matrix. Measured properties of aluminium silicon carbide (composite) showed increase in young's modulus (E) and hardness above the unreinforced aluminium, however, there was marginal reduction of electrical conductivity in the composite.

Keywords

Aluminium Metal matrix composites Silicon carbide Stir casting Mechanical properties

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Copyright (c) 2017 P.O. Babalola, C.A Bolu, O. Kilanko, S.O. Oyedepo, K.M. Odunfa

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