Mechanical Behaviors of Aluminum Matrix Composite Synthesized by Stir Casting Technique

Abstract

AbstractDue to light weight, the aluminum based metal matrix composite plays a major role in fabricating engine and body components of aerospace and automobile industry. This enhancement of mechanical behavior like strength, hardness, stiffness, fatigue strength and wear resistance of host aluminum composite is possible only by adding various ceramic compounds with aluminum matrix. In this work, TiB2 dispersed Al metal matrix (Al/TiB2) composite was synthesized by simple and low cost indigenously designed and developed programmable stir casting technique. This technique is based on principle of modification of programmable motor with mechanical stirrer from the top to mix reinforcement in the matrix material. Different weight fraction 2, 4, 6% of TiB2 was reinforced in Al356 alloy and the synthesized metal matrix composites were subjected for micro structural and mechanical property studies. Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) shows an even distribution of TiB2 ceramic particles in host Al metal. Vicker’s micro hardness measurement indicates the increased values of hardness of the composite with higher weight fraction of TiB2 reinforcement.KeywordsMetal matrix compositesTiB2Stir castingTEMMicrohardness