Centrifugally cast A356/SiC functionally graded composite: Fabrication and mechanical property assessment

Abstract

Aluminum alloy with SiC particles reinforcement, functionally graded composite cylinder is developed via horizontal centrifugal casting technique. Cylindrical specimen is fabricated with 8 wt% of SiC particles reinforcement in A356 under mould rotational speed of 800 rpm. The comparative hardness at different locations on the cylinder is measured by taking five different samples along its longitudinal direction. Present investigation results shown about 204 percent improvement in hardness obtained for functionally graded cylinder at its outer region as compared to inner zone. The hardness value and its percentage of improvement shown a leaning trend from one end to other on the surface of cylinder liner. The outer layer of functionally graded material (FGM) shown about four times increase in hardness as compared to that of as cast A356 specimens. The inner layer of FGM also showed 1.3 times enhanced hardness value in comparison to A356 alloy.