Development of AA6061/SiC_p Metal Matrix Composites by Conventional Stir Casting and Ultrasonic Assisted Casting Routes – A Comparative Study

Abstract:

The major problem associated with the fabrication of cast metal matrix composites is the agglomeration tendency of the particles in the metal matrix. The agglomeration of the particles in the metal matrix greatly reduces the mechanical properties of the fabricated composite materials. In this work, to reduce the agglomeration tendency of SiC particles in Al matrix, different weight percentages of SiC particles reinforced Al composites were fabricated by the conventional stir casting and the ultrasonic cavitation assisted casting routes. Results indicate that in both the methods, particle distribution was uniform upto certain weight percentage after that agglomeration of particles were observed. The mechanical properties of the as-cast composites were superior to that of the as-cast alloys. Composites fabricated by the ultrasonic cavitation method showed slightly better mechanical properties than the composites fabricated by the conventional stir casting route. From the consolidated results it was also observed that 10 weight % of SiC_p reinforced composite fabricated by the ultrasonic cavitation method yields the better mechanical properties when compared to the other composites fabricated in this study. Keywords: Metal Matrix Composites, Stir Casting, Ultrasonic Cavitation, Mechanical Properties, Microstructure, Comparative Study

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 984-985)
• Pages: 384-389
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.984-985.384
• Online since: July 2014
• Authors: L. Poovazhagan*, Kalaichelvan Kani, V.R. Balaji, P. Ganesh, A. Kali Avudaiappan
• Keywords: Comparative Study, Mechanical Property, Metal Matrix Composite (MMC), Microstructure, Stir Casting, Ultrasonic Cavitation

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