Fabrication and Characterization of Al-0.4%Si-0.5%Mg - SiCp Using Permanent Mould Casting Technique

Abstract

Production of A6063/SiC composite with various weight fractions (3%, 6%, 9%) were prepared by using permanent mould casting was investigated. The preferred mean particle size of SiC is 60 μm. In addition, A6063 alloys were cast for comparison purposes. The alloys and composites were given a T6 heat treatment process (solution treatment at 520 °C, water quenching at room temperature and artificial ageing at 180 °C), Also Microstructure, hardness and tensile properties of these composites were evaluated and compared. In addition, tribological properties of these composites were evaluated using a Pin-on-Disc apparatus with various parameters (constant load of 10N and varying velocities as follows 0.5m/s, 1m/s, 1.5m/s, 2m/s) .The microstructure of the composites shows homogenous distribution of SiC particles in the Al matrix except in the A6063/9% SiC composite. The wear and mechanical properties of composites improve with increasing the weight fraction of SiC Wear morphology studies show that higher wear rate in case of unreinforced specimen compared to heat treated composites. Whereas with the increase in SiC content, the material tends to fail in brittle mode. The aim of present study is to evaluate the effect of heat treatment on the mechanical and tribological properties of aluminum alloy A6063 /SiC metal matrix composite.