Investigation on tensile and impact behavior of aluminum base silicon carbide metal matrix composites

Abstract

Objectives: The scope of this work was to: 1. to fabricate Silicon Carbide (SiC) particle Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) by vortex method; 2. to investigate the effect of SiC particles on the tensile and impact behavior of SiC particle reinforced 6061 aluminum alloy composites. Recently, the material technology has seen many contemporary developments in the field of fabricating new materials which reinstates the current materials for different applications. Amidst these, the composite materials have an important aspect which is a combination of different materials possessing various physical and chemical properties. Methods: This Aluminum base metal Matrix Composite (AMC) has been manufactured by wrought aluminum alloy by varying the weight fractions of silicon carbide to compose five distinct forms of composites. Stir - casting has been chosen as the manufacturing technique, in this study. Findings: The manufactured composites were tested to determine their tensile and impact properties and the result proves that the sample with higher percentage of silicon carbide has better mechanical properties, comparably. Applications: This study essentially focuses on establishing AMC as they find applications on aerospace and automotive industries because of their admirable properties compared with the unreinforced alloys.