Prediction of mechanical characteristics of aluminium 7075 metal matrix composites

Abstract

In the arena of Material Science, the advancement of hybrid Metal Matrix Composites has turn out to be a vital area. MMCs offer superior properties compared with alloys. An isotropic material cannot fulfill all the desired properties. Characteristics of MMCs can be customized based on the requirements of numerous applications by appropriate mixtures of reinforcement, matrix, and processing methods. Intention of the present research is to predict the mechanical characteristics of Aluminium based Metal Matrix Composites with the presence of Silicon Carbide and Alumina. Al7075 is taken as a matrix material and Silicon Carbide act as reinforcement. Composite material is developed through stir casting process. The mechanical characteristics of MMC’s such as tensile property, fracture toughness and hardness were predicted as per the ASTM standard. Experimental testing has been performed by varying weight proportions of Al7075 (80%, 85% and 90%), SiC (5%, 10% and 15%), and while maintaining all other factors constant. It has been observed that the increasing weight percentage of SiC results with increasing tensile strength, hardness and decreasing impact strength.