Surface Modification of SiC Reinforcements & its Effects on Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Based MMC

Abstract:

Aluminum (A356)-SiC metal matrix composites were fabricated by using liquid metallurgy route. To improve the interfacial bonding between the Al and SiC, an attempt has been made to coat the SiC particles with Ni and Cu. Electroless process was used for coating the reinforced particle. This surface modification due to electroless coating on SiC particles was confirmed with SEM/ EDS analysis. Processing parameters such as melt temperature, stirring speed, stirring time, and preheating temperature were optimized. SiC content in Al-SiC MMC were taken from 5 to 15% and effect of Ni and Cu coating was studied using hardness measurements. Influence of coated SiC particles in Al-SiC showed significant improvement in hardness values. Moreover, micro structural examination clearly demonstrated that Cu coating on SiC particles resulted in good metallurgical boding as compared to SiC particles with Ni coating. As a result, the hardness values of Al-SiC (Cu) exhibited better hardness values as compared to Al-SiC (Ni) MMCs. As expected, high SiC content in types of Al-SiC MMCs showed high hardness values as compared to low SiC content and base alloy. The present investigation suggests that Cu coating on SiC particles are more suitable as compared to Ni coating on SiC particles to synthesis Al-SiC MMCs.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 446-447)
• Pages: 93-97
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.446-447.93
• Online since: November 2013
• Authors: Mohan Vanarotti, P. Shrishail, B.R. Sridhar, Karodi Venkateswarlu, S.A. Kori
• Keywords: A356 Aluminum Alloy, Coating, Hardness, Metal Matrix Composite (MMC), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Wettability

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