Statistical analysis of mechanical properties of Al-SiC-WC and Al-SiC-Al2O3 hybrid composites

Abstract

Abstract Metal Matrix Composites play a vital role in many engineering applications due to its multiple mechanical characterizations. Aluminium being light weight material and reinforcements of Aluminium with high strength materials like Tungsten Carbide and Alumina enhances its mechanical properties. This investigation deals with analysis of mechanical properties of Aluminium-Silicon Carbide–Alumina composites and Aluminium-Silicon Carbide–Tungsten Carbide composites. Aluminium is reinforced with Silicon Carbide powder and Alumina powder. Stir casting process is used for fabricating the samples with three different process parameters namely stirring speed, stirring time and stirring temperature. 12 samples are fabricated with 3 samples for each material composition. The material composition for Al-SiC-Al2O3 composites with Aluminium are 3% of the SiC by weight and 3%, 4% of Aluminium oxide by weight and the proportions for Al-SiC-WC Composites are 3% of SiC by weight and 3%, 4%of Tungsten Carbide by weight. The mechanical properties for all the samples were investigated with tensile test, impact test and hardness test. Statistical Analysis using ANOVA were analyzed to find the significant variations in the properties of the material and found that Aluminium with 3% Silicon Carbide and 4% Tungsten Carbide by weight had least variations with high strength.