Microstructural and Erosive Wear Behavior on Coarse Silica Sand of Dual Reinforced Particle (DRP) LM-13 Alloy Composites

Abstract

The present investigations are a comparative study and effects of SiC and ZrSiO4 ceramic grain sizes and mixing proportions on the microstructural and slurry erosion wear characteristics of composite materials. SiC / ZrSiO4 dual reinforced particles (DRP) LM-13 alloy matrix composites were manufactured. Dual reinforced particles composites were generated by adding combinations of (9+3)wt%,(6+6)wt%, (3+9)wt% of Silicon carbide (SiC) and zircon sand (ZrSiO4) to LM-13 alloy matrix composites. LM-13 alloy composite with Silicon carbide and zircon sand samples were also prepared for comparison of dual reinforcement particles on microstructural features and wear behavior in various slurry concentrations. Silicon carbide (35-44 µm) and zircon sand (20-35 µm) particles are reinforced in the alloy by two-step stir casting method. Slurry erosion wear study reveals that the dual particle reinforcement enhances the wear resistance as compared to single particle reinforcement if mixed in a definite proportion. Study also indicate that a combination of 12% reinforcement of silicon carbide and zircon sand particles in the ratio of 9 and 3wt% into the composite exhibits better microhardness and wear resistance as compared to other combination.