Abstract
The present paper investigates the effect of age hardening and the percentage of graphite particles on the microstructure of aluminium metal matrix composites fabricated by the stir casting method. The fabricated specimens were subjected to aging at a temperature of 170 °C and 270 °C for 2 h after the solution heat treatment and at a temperature of 500 °C for 1 h followed by water quenching. Both cast and aged specimens were characterized and its microstructure study revealed the distribution of graphite particles in molten aluminium metal, reaction at the bonded interface, and eutectic silicon from a course plate-like to fine branched at grain boundaries. The hardness, tensile and fatigue properties of composites were influenced by % graphite particles, thermal barrier coatings, and aging temperature. The fractured surfaces were analyzed using an electron microscope to understand the failure mechanism.
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