Conventional stir casting versus ultrasonic assisted stir casting process: Mechanical and physical characteristics of AMCs

Abstract

In this study, aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) were developed using two different techniques, conventional stir casting and ultrasonic assisted stir casting. The drawbacks of the conventional stir casting technique were eliminated by employing an alternative process to produce the composite, wherein ultrasonic energy was introduced into the molten metal using an ultrasonic probe. AMCs were produced by using different concentrations of SiC (3%, 5%, 8%, and 10%) microparticles with a size of 40 μm. Mechanical and physical properties of the composites developed using both techniques were examined and compared. Moreover, the effect of filler inclusion on AMC density was assessed. The microstructural investigation revealed that SiC microparticles were dispersed homogeneously in the matrix material when the ultrasonic probe was used. Furthermore, test results indicated that mechanical and physical characteristics improved with the ultrasonic-assisted stir casting process.