Comparative Study of Microstructure, Physical and Mechanical Characterization of SiC/TiB2 Reinforced Aluminium Matrix Composite

Abstract

Aluminium matrix composites impact greatly in modern trends for huge applications in the aerospace and automotive industry due to its better strength to weight ratio and temperature resistance capacity. This work investigated the effect on SiC and TiB2 powder reinforced aluminium matrix composite fabricated by stir casting. Stir casting is a widely used liquid state method of a fabrication technique for preparing metal matrix composite with the help of mechanical stirring. Density, tensile strength, hardness, and fracture analysis were done to observe the development of ceramic particle reinforced aluminium matrix composite. SEM analysis revealed the uniform distribution of reinforcement particles throughout the aluminium matrix. Universal tensile strength and micro hardness of aluminium matrix composite enhanced from 140 MPa to 182 MPa and 66 HV to 81 HV respectively due to the addition of particle reinforcement. The microstructural investigation from the fractured surface of tensile samples indicated ductile nature appeared in Al7075, Al7075/SiC, and Al7075/TiB2 composites due to nucleation and micro-voids formation.