Microstructural and Mechanical behaviour of Aluminium Matrix Composites reinforced with coated SiC particles fabricated by Stir Casting

摘要

Metal matrix composites are the resultant of combination of two or more elements or compounds, possessing enhanced characteristics than the individual constituents present in them. This paper deals with the fabrication of Al 2014-SiC composite and investigation of its Microstructure and Mechanical properties. 2014 Aluminium alloy is characterized by good hardness. It is selected as the base metal. The Silicon Carbide is characterized by good strength and low density (3.21 g/cm~3). It is chosen as the reinforcement. Silicon Carbide is coated with Nickel by electroless method to increase its wettability and binding properties. The fabrication of metal matrix composites is done by stir casting in a furnace, by introducing the required quantities of reinforcement into molten Aluminium alloy. The reinforcement and alloy is mixed by means of stirring, with the help of a stirrer. The base alloy and the composites are then tested for mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength and hardness. The fabricated samples have higher tensile strength and impact strength than the alloy. Microstructure of the samples, are analyzed using optical microscope.