A Study on Hardness and Wear behaviour of Untreated and Cryogenically Treated Al-SiC and Al-Gr Metal Matrix Composite

Abstract

The present study aims at evaluating the hardness and wear behaviour of untreated and cryogenically treated aluminium-silicon carbide and aluminium graphite metal matrix composite. In this composite Al6061 is used as matrix material with varying Silicon carbide quantity from 2.5wt% to 10wt% and also varying the quantity of graphite from 1wt% to 4wt%. The composites used for this study were fabricated using stir casting technique. Electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction tests were carried out to know the composition and phase identification of the composite sample. Microstructure analysis was carried out to study the structure of the composites with and without cryogenic treatment. Hardness behaviour of a metal plays a vital role in understanding the resistance offered by a particular metal to the various shape changing forces and the ability of the metal to resist deformation. Similarly, wear is erosion of material from its original position on a solid surface performed by the action of any other material surface. It is very important to know the wear property of any given material in order to gain an understanding of the wear process, to determine the effects of variables, to characterize materials, and to select materials for specific applications.