Effect of Particulate Reinforcements on the Mechanical Properties of Al6061-WC and Al6061-Gr MMCs

摘要

This paper presents the comparative study of the mechanical properties of Al6061-Tungsten carbide composites containing Tungsten carbide (WC) particulate, and Al6061-graphite particulate composites containing graphite particles. The reinforcing particulates in the MMCs vary from 0% to 4% by weight. The 'vortex method' of production was employed to fabricate the composites, in which the reinforcements were poured into the vortex created by stirring the molten metal by means of a mechanical agitator. The composites so produced were subjected to a series of tests. The results of this study revealed that as the Tungsten carbide particle content was increased, there were significant increases in the ultimate tensile strength, hardness and Young's modulus, accompanied by a reduction in its ductility. There was, however, only a very marginal increase in the compressive strength, where as in graphite reinforced composites as the graphite content was increased, there were significant reduction in hardness and monotonic increases in the ductility, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), compressive strength and Young's modulus of the composite, An attempt is made in the paper to provide explanations for these phenomena.