Evaluation of Mechanical Properties and Characterization of Cryotreated Al6061 Reinforced SiC MMC

Abstract

This research work aims at developing and mechanical characterization of Al6061 based metal matrix composite reinforced with varying percentage of SiC (3%,5%,7%,9%).The mechanical properties are completely dependent on the microstructural parameters of the system. Also the microstructure further depends on the cooling rates during solidification process. The cryogenation of the samples increases the rate of solidification, which enhances the mechanical properties of the composite. The Cryotreated specimens were subjected to hardness tests followed by microstructure studies. Finer microstructure and better hardness value were seen for specimen’s casted using 7% Specimens, whereas as higher percentage specimens exhibited inferior properties which might be due to agglomeration of the reinforcement SiC in matrix.