Study of the Effect of Varying Pouring Rate on Mechanical Properties of Al-Cu and SiCp Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites (MMC)

Abstract

The investigation studies of Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) have emerged as an important class of materials for structural, wear, thermal, transportation and electrical applications. Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) possess significantly improved properties including high specific strength; specific modulus, damping capacity and good wear resistance compared to unreinforced alloys. There are several techniques to produce composites, such as liquid state, solid state and semi solid state production route. In this paper, we studied a composite with cheap and simple production route i.e. stir casting method. We have chosen 5% SiC as the reinforcement material and balanced Al + 4% Cu as matrix phase. The pouring rate is varying 2cm/sec., 2.5cm/sec. and 3cm/sec. The effects of input (independent) variables as pouring rate (2cm/sec.,2.5cm/sec. and 3cm/sec) and material type’s on output (dependent) variables as hardness, impact strength and ultimate tensile strength, statistically analysis were performed by using SPSS 17.0. The best result value of BHN, Impact and UTS has been obtained at optimum pouring rate 2.5cm/sec. The pouring temperature kept constant at 700⁰C for all composites. The mechanical properties as hardness, impact and tensile strength were enhanced with reinforcement SiC particles. The results were further justified by comparing with other investigators.

Keywords: Metal Matrix Composites MMCs, Stir, Pouring Temperature, Pouring Rate, UTM, and Hardness.