Effect of Particulate Reinforcement on the Mechanical Properties of Al2024-WC MMCs

Abstract

The present work reveals the study of mechanical properties of Al2024-Tungsten carbide MMCs containing tungsten carbide (WC) particulates. The reinforcing particulates in the Al2024 alloy were varied from 0% to 5% by weight. The vortex method of cast production was employed to fabricate the MMCs, in which the reinforcement was poured into the vortex created by stirring the molten metal by means of a mechanical agitator. The composite so produced was subjected to a series of mechanical 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, compressive strength, accompanied by a reduction in its ductility. An attempt is made in the paper to provide explanations for these phenomena.