Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of Al-4032 based Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents an alternative material to the aluminum-silicon alloys used in automotive applications with focus on investigation of the morphological and mechanical behavior of the metal matrix composites formed. The silicon carbide reinforced aluminium alloy (Al-4032) metal matrix composites have been produced through the stir casting technique. Four different compositions, i.e. 0, 3, 6 and 9% (by weight) silicon carbide reinforcement with the particle size 37-54μm have been used. Also, 1% magnesium powder (by weight) has been used for better interfacial bond between the matrix and reinforcement. In general, all the mechanical properties, the tensile strength, hardness, and impact strength have been observed to improve with the reinforcement over the base metal. These properties have also been found to improve with increase in the weight percentage of the reinforcement.