Abstract
Achieving the uniform distribution of reinforcement particles in MMCs is very important for the effect of stirring parameters and the flow action of the melt, which should be known. The effect of stirring parameters on the distribution of SiC particles in SiCp/A356 composites was studied by the experimental and numerical methods in this paper. The experimental results show the SiC distribution with different stirring parameters. In addition, the effects of the fluid velocity and volume fraction of SiC particle at different position of crucible on the SiC distribution were analyzed by numerical simulation. The velocity magnitude, axial velocity, and radial velocity were analyzed to explain theoretically the particle distribution. The shearing force, moments, and stirring power of the stirring rod were simulated based on CFD code. The numerical results show that the stirring temperature is lower, the shearing force is greater, the stirring time is longer, and particle dispersion gets better. On the other hand, the higher the stirring speed is, the more uniform the radial and axial flow are, and the better the particles were dispersed. The numerical results were in good agreement with the experimental data.
Highlights
Particle reinforced metal matrix composites (PMMCs) are used in a variety of structural applications ranging from civil transportation to aerospace [1]
A uniform particle distribution is essential in PMMCs, as it can effectively improve the mechanical properties of composite materials and reduce the porosity and particle clusters in composites, improve the interfacial condition, and reduce the probability of crack formation and expansion
The vacuum semisolid stirring casting method and CFD numerical simulation technology were used to study the influence of stirring parameters on the dispersion of the particles in SiCp/A356 composite
Summary
Particle reinforced metal matrix composites (PMMCs) are used in a variety of structural applications ranging from civil transportation to aerospace [1]. Stirring casting has been widely used in the preparation of SiCp/A356 composite materials because of its simplicity, flexibility, and applicability to large quantity production. A uniform particle distribution is essential in PMMCs, as it can effectively improve the mechanical properties of composite materials and reduce the porosity and particle clusters in composites, improve the interfacial condition, and reduce the probability of crack formation and expansion. Hashim et al [3, 4] reviewed the stirring parameter causing the porosity and particle clustering, which were phenomena of uneven distribution of particles and harmful to the mechanical properties of the composites. Ahmad et al [5]
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