Investigation of Functionally Graded Aluminium A356 Alloy and A356-10%SiC_p Composite for Hydro Turbine Bucket Application

Abstract:

The study investigates the application of centrifugal casting process in the production of a complex shape component, Pelton turbine bucket. The bucket materials examined were functionally graded aluminium A356 alloy and A356-10%SiC_p composite. A permanent mould for the casting of the bucket was designed with a Solidworks software and fabricated by the combination of CNC machining and welding. Oil hardening non-shrinking die steel (OHNS) was chosen for the mould material. The OHNS was heat treated and a hardness of 432 BHN was obtained. The mould was put into use, the buckets of A356 Alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite were cast, cut and machined into specimens. Some of the specimens were given T6 heat treatment and the specimens were prepared according to the designed investigations. The micrographs of A356-10%SiC_p composite shows more concentration of SiC_p particles at the inner periphery of the bucket. The maximum hardness of As-Cast A356 and A356-10%SiC_p composite were 60 BRN and 95BRN respectively, recorded at the inner periphery of the bucket. And these values appreciated to 98BRN and 122BRN for A356 alloy and A356-10%SiC_p composite respectively after heat treatment. The prediction curves of the ultimate tensile stress and yield tensile stress show the same trend as the hardness curves.

• Periodical: International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (Volume 26)
• Pages: 30-46
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/JERA.26.30
• Online since: October 2016
• Authors: Williams S. Ebhota*, Akhil S. Karun, Freddie L. Inambao
• Keywords: A356 Alloy, A356-10%SiC_p Composite, Centrifugal Casting, Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs), Pelton Bucket, Turbine Blade

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