Optimizing the addition of TiB to improve mechanical properties of the ADC 12/SiC composite through stir casting process

Abstract

The goal of this research is to improve the mechanical properties such as strength, hardness and wear resistance for automotive application such as brake shoe and bearings due to high cycle, load and impact during their usage. Therefore, another alloying element or reinforcement addition is necessary. In this work, the composites are made by ADC 12 (Al-Si aluminum alloy) as the matrix and reinforced with micro SiC through stir casting process and TiB is added various from (0.04, 0.06, 0.15, 0.3 and 0.5) wt.% that act as grain refiners and 5 wt.% of Mg is added to improve the wettability of the composites. The addition of TiB improves the mechanical properties because the grain becomes finer and uniform, and the addition of Mg makes the matrix and reinforce have better adhesion. The results obtained that the optimum composition was found by adding 0.15 wt.% of TiB with tensile strength improve from 98 MPa to 136.3 MPa, hardness from 35 to 53 HRB and wear rate reduced from 0.006 2 mm3 s-1 to 0.002 3 mm3 s-1 respectively.