MECHANICAL PROPERTY EVALUATION OF A356/SiCp/Gr METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Abstract

In the present investigation, studies on microstructure and mechanical properties of Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) reinforced with silicon carbide (SiCp) and graphite (Gr) particles. A356 alloy is used as the matrix material with varying the reinforcement of SiCp from 0 to 9 wt% in steps of 3 wt% and fixed quantity of 3 wt% of graphite. The composites were fabricated by liquid metallurgy method. The prepared composites were examined for microstructure to know the particle distribution in the matrix material. Hardness and tensile properties were studied and compared with the alloy. There was a significant improvement in hardness and tensile properties by increasing the weight percentage of SiC particles.

Keywords

• Metal matrix composites
• Stir casting
• Microstructure
• Hardness
• Tensile properties