Nanoparticles reinforcement effect on the MMC’s characteristics

Abstract

Nanoparticles reinforcement in the base material is called MMC’s (metal matrix composites) and they possess enriched mechanical properties compared to the base material. Present work models the effect of nanoparticles reinforcement on the MMC’s characteristics like mechanical properties and time-temperature history curve during solidification. Materials considered in the present work are SiC (silicon carbide), Al2O3 (aluminum oxide) B4C (boron carbide) and Al6061. Thermal conductivity, specific heat and density are analyzed for nanoparticles weight percentage reinforcement varying from 0 to 30 while time-temperature history curve is analyzed by modeling the well-known energy equation using finite different (FD) technique. Individual and collective influence of the reinforcement on the mechanical properties and time-temperature history curve is also analyzed. The results from the present work are validated with the experimental results and found in good agreement. Results reveal that SiC nanoparticle gives the steeper time-temperature history curve compared to the Al2O3 and B4C nanoparticles for same reinforcement. Results also reveal that cumulative reinforcement shows less steep time-temperature history curve compared to the individual reinforcement.