Investigation of mechanical and erosive behaviour of the Al 6061-SiC composites fabricated by stir casting

Abstract

Metal-matrix composites (MMC) are widely used in aerospace, defense and automotive industries due to their high specific strength, excellent wear resistance and significant strength to weight ratio. However, composites used in structural or engineering components goes through major erosive wear failure. Therefore, it is highly relevant to study the erosive wear behavior of the composites in compliance to their mechanical properties. In the current study, aluminum alloy composites are fabricated by employing silicon carbide (SiC) as a reinforcing agent. This composite sample was fabricated by using the application of the stir casting method in which the content of SiC particles was varied from 0, 4, 8 and 12 wt%. The effect of different particles concentration loading towards mechanical erosive wear behavior are then evaluated. The composites are subjected to mechanical tests including microhardness and impact strength tests. The result shows that the highest hardness and impact strength were attained at 150 Hv and 62 Joule respectively with composite fabricated with 12 wt% SiC content. Meanwhile the highest tensile strength were recorded at 400 MPa corresponding to composite that is loaded with 8 wt% SiC content. Erosion characteristics of the fabricated Al-SiC composites are analyzed by using Taguchi method and the significant control factors affecting the erosion rate of composites are identified through successful implementation of ANOVA. The result shows that the most significant factors in erosive wear of the composites are impact velocity and filler content.