Manufacturing, Mechanical Properties and Microstructural Studies on Quartz particulate reinforced Aluminium-11.8 percent Silicon alloy matrix composite castings processed in a permanent metallic grey cast iron mold by vortex mixing method

摘要

Composites are engineered materials combines two or more metallic or non-metallic materials materials, in which tailored properties can be attained on different combinations. Vortex mixing method is available for producing these advanced materials which includes the conventional metallic molding process to make it as composite castings. This paper discusses on the manufacturing of quartz particulate reinforced aluminium-silicon alloy matrix composite castings made in a grey cast iron mold and on the mechanical testing and microstructural characterization of the processed cast specimens. Besides, data on thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity are determined by photoflash method and are also presented in this paper. In this experimental research work, fluka quartz particulate reinforced LM6 alloy matrix composites were fabricated by varying the addition of quartz on weight fraction basis by different percentage basis as 5 percent , 10 percent , 15 percent , 20 percent , 25 percent and 30 percent . Tensile tests were conducted to determine the mechanical properties. Hardness, impact strength values are measured for the quartz particulate reinforced LM6 alloy composites and it has been found that it gradually increased with the increased addition of the reinforcement phase. The tensile strength of quartz composites decreased with the increased addition of quartz particulate. Detailed metallographic studies were conducted and photomicrographs were captured and presented in this research paper.