Method of stir casting of Aluminum metal matrix Composites: A review

Abstract

Among the variety of manufacturing processes available for discontinuous metal matrix composites, stir casting is generally accepted as a particularly promising route, currently practiced commercially. Its advantages lie in its simplicity, flexibility and applicability to large quantity production with cost advantage. The major problem of this process is to obtain sufficient wetting of particle by liquid metal and to get a homogenous dispersion of the particulates. The present review is on the method employed in stir casting such as, how the base metal is melted, at what temperature and state it is to be maintained, what conditions the particulates are added and how the stirring time and stirring speed affect the final composite material. The effect of stirrer design and feeding mechanism has also been discussed. The variation in the type of mixing the particulates into the metal matrix has also been dealt with in the paper. In the introductory part the stir casting methodology with a diagram has been laid out to give an overview of the overall process of casting of metal matrix composites. The limitations of the process are also listed in the paper.