Characteristics of aluminium ADC 12/SiC composite with the addition of TiB and Sr modifier

Abstract

The addition of silicon carbide (SiC) as a reinforce in a composite can improve mechanical properties. In this study aluminium ADC 12 (Al-Si-Aluminium Alloy) is treated with an addition of SiC varied from (1; 1.5; 2; 2.5 to 3) vf% and mixed with 0.18 wt% Sr to change the morphology of the silicone eutectic phase and 0.15 wt% titanium boron (TiB) was added as a grain refiner as well as the addition of 5 wt% magnesium (Mg) to increase the wettability. All materials were fabricated by stir cast method. This research is conducted to obtain the candidate material for application in train's brake shoe and bearing. This kind of usage requires high mechanical properties such as wear resistance, thermal resistance, good elastic modulus and lightweight. The composites were characterised by both mechanical properties and microstructure. The result shows that there is an increase in the mechanical properties of aluminium ADC 12 /SiC composite compared to unreinforced with the value of 144 MPa of strength, 53 HRB of hardness, and 0.0049 mm3 m-1 of wear rate. As a result, the higher addition of the SiC results in the better mechanical properties for the composite.