EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES … · of MMC’S by stir casting technique comprise rising a ... 102 editor@ ... 220 mesh Sic 75.5 95.4 104.6 115.4 120.3

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International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET) Volume 8, Issue 12, December 2017, pp. 99–107, Article ID: IJMET_08_12_011

Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=8&IType=12

ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL

PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM ALLOY WITH

SILICON CARBIDE

Raj Kumar

Research Scholar, MED, UIET, MDU, Rohtak.

Dr. Vineet Kumar

Professor, MED, UIET, MDU, Rohtak

ABSTRACT:

The objective of this research is to produce metal matrix composite (MMC) by stir

casting technique. The metal matrix composite are prepared by using aluminium (Al

6063) as a matrix and Sic particulates as reinforced with different percentage of

weight fraction ranging from 3.5, 6.5, 9.5, 12.5. The reinforced particles size of SIC

are 220 mesh, 400 mesh respectively. The steel prices are growing high day by day

those have an effect on manufacturing expense in automobile and domestic industries

, that why it is necessary to substitute steel with material having light weight and high

strong suit to weight proportion. The aluminium and its compounds have terrific

characteristics like light weight, wear and resistance to the corrosion that make

acceptable in copious industrial usage. This study analysis examines the micro-

structural and mechanical properties of al 6063 with SIC reinforced metal matrix

composites (MMC’s).

Keywords: MMC, SiC, Micro-structural, Tensile, Hardness, Mechanical properties.

Cite this Article: Raj Kumar and Dr. Vineet Kumar, Experimental Analysis of

Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Alloy With Silicon Carbide, International

Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology 8(12), 2017, pp. 99–107.

http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=8&IType=12

1. INTRODUCTION:

The MMC’S will have desired characteristics of metal and ceramic are if they are fabricated

then designed properly. Metal matrix composites (MMC’S) have high strength , light weight ,

greater resistance to corrosion , wear and the ceramic brace have high stiffness and high

strength. The ductile metal matrix reinforced with the ceramic builds a fabric that has the

mechanical characteristics jointly ceramic reinforcement and metal matrix. [1] The fabrication

of MMC’S by stir casting technique comprise rising a molten solution of preferred metal

matrix followed by toting up of silicon carbide (sic) reinforcement into the molten solution.

[2]The next pace consists of solidification of aluminium alloy melt solution to attain the

Raj Kumar and Dr. Vineet Kumar


required metal matrix composites (MMC’S) of the earthenware reinforcement. There are

copious factors that entail consideration observe for the manufacturing of mmc’s by means of

stir casting method. These factors embrace the consistent allocation of sic reinforcement,

wettability of the sic and aluminium alloy, defect free casting of mmc’s and the reaction takes

place among sic reinforcement and aluminium matrix composite (AMC) at superior temp. [3].

For obtaining most favorable properties of mmc’s the above said factors must be addressed

during manufacturing of mmc’s by means of stirring technique.

2. EVOLUTION OF ALUMINIUM MATRIX COMPOSITES (AMC’S)

These Aluminium matrix composites (AMC’S) combine the characteristics of metal matrix

along with the characteristics of SIC reinforcement which improve in superior mechanical,

thermal expansion and tribological characteristics. [4] The advancement of MMC may take in

basic issues such as selection and dividing the different phases, the properties of compound

and the potential modification of constituent. [dvivedi 2008, singhetal 2013] [5,1]. There are

plentiful fabrication techniques existing for the making of the AMC’S. Processing of AMC’S

can be divided on basis of matrix phases, as it is being appended with brace. The widespread

alliance for processing of AMC’S is as charts:

1. Solid state: powder blending, diffusion bonding.

2. Liquid state: stir casting, liquid metal infiltration, squeezes casting, spray deposition

3. Gas state: physical vapor discharge.

Generally technique for liquid phase is effective than solid and vapour phase.

3. STIR CASTING: The most basic and economical process used is vortex method or stirring the cast technique. It

involves the accession of preheated of 220 mesh and 400mesh Sic constituent part into the

vertex of melted alloy which is produced by rotating impeller. Microstructural in homogeneity

can cause addition of constituent part and sedimentation when it melts or solidify. Generally

stir casting technique is possible to integrate around 29-30 % Sic particle in range 5-100

micron in different – different molten aluminium alloys. This process is not beneficial for

integration of submicron size of Sic units. Another variety of stir casting is compo casting. In

this, SiC constituent part is integrated into mixture in the semi-solid state. [6]

4. EVOLUTION AND MANUFACTURE OF STIR CASTING SET UP

FOR GENERATION OF MMC’S:

The area comprises to yield the MMC’s by using the evolution and fabrication of stir cast.

The important designing concern for the fabrication of stir casting set up is to know the goals

of the study that are described as follow ( singh 2013, devivedi 2008)[1,5].

1. Casing of stirring system: Casing of the stir casting system is made by using

3cmx3cm, iron pipes. The altitude of the casing is 72cm from the ground surface and

its other dimensions being 72cm each i.e. length, width. The square pipes are

connected in middle at distance 20cm from both sides which is applied for adjusting

stirrer cum motor.

2. Stirrer Fabrication: Stirrer is composed of stainless steel (310grade). The

dimension of stirrer is 97cm and blades consist of zigzag pattern angle of 90 of each

side. The length of stirrer is 7cm each.

3. Motor – Dimmer: The motor is set up in middle of the frame having 220-1500

rpm for the stirrer working. And speed is adjusted by dimmer (0-240 volts).

Experimental Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Alloy With Silicon Carbide


4. Furnance description: Electrical muffle furnance is castoff for groundwork of

homogeneous metal matrix. The furnance inaugural dimension is 16cm x 16cm and

depth is 37cm .The electricity is used as a fuel in the fabrication of metal matrix

composite.

5. Raw Material Section: For the fabrication of metal matrix composite, silicon

carbide (220 meshes, 400 meshes) and aluminium alloy (Al 6063) are used as the raw

material. the aluminium matrix composite (AMC) having the wide application in

automotive and heavy good vehicle, beaking system, piston rods, frames, piston pin,

brake disc, axle tubes, reinforcement blades, gear box casting turbine blades , racing

car wheels and so on. The Various equipments are used in fabrication of metal matrix

composite (MMC) by stir casting technique as shown in figure 4.1, 4.2,4.3,4.4,4.5,4.6

below:

4.1 Crucibles 4.2. Casting mould 4.3 Tong

4.4. Stirrer with frame 4.5. Muffle furnance 4.6. Assembled stir casting

5. RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Al/ Sic- MMC’s. The MMC’s were fabricated by differ weight fraction of sic (3.5%, 6.5%,

9.5%, 12.5%) with size of sic particles (220 mesh, 400 mesh). The fabricated MMC’s were

conducted various experiments to investigate properties of Al/ Sic – MMC’s.

5.1. Microstructure:

For microstructure testing, the fabricated MMC’s were polished in such a fine way that there

should be mirror like image on upper surface of samples. The mirror like surface finish of

samples were achieved by rubbing the sample on emery papers (100 to 2000 micron) and

velvet cloth with help of polishing machine and then surface of samples were washed by

killer’s etching reagent (Methanol, Hcl, Hno3, one drop of Hf). In the fabricated MMC’s the

difference of distribution of Sic particle to be seen by optical microstructure tester [range X50

to X 1500] Dewinter technologies Italy as shown in fig 5.1 (O).



Micrographs of Al/ Sic – MMC’s samples for different size and weight fraction of Sic

particles (220 mesh, 400 mesh) as in fig. 5.1.1 and fig. 5.1.2 for 220 mesh and 400 mesh

respectively.

Figure 5.1.1 Figure 5.1.2

5.2. Tensile Strength:

The tensile test was conducted at room temperature on on four column (UTM) universal

testing machine model no. Unitek -94100 Sr.no. 12/2016-316, max capacity load. Model no.

Unitek-94100 tensile testing machine was manufactured by Fuel Instruments & Engineering’s

Pvt. Ltd. as shown by figure no. 5.2 (O) The specimens of tensile test were prepared of Al/

Sic – MMC’s for various size (220 mesh, 400 mesh) and weight fraction (3.5%, 6.5%, 9.5%,

12.5%) of sic particles as per ASTM standard as shown in figure 5.2 (S).

Figure 5.2 (O)



Figure 5.2 (S)

The ten tensile specimens were prepared of Al/ Sic MMC’s various size of Sic (220 mesh,

400 mesh) and weight fraction (3.5%, 6.5%, 9.5%, 12.5%) of Sic.

Figure 5.2 (a) Standard specimens for Tensile Test of Sic 220 mesh and fraction weight of Sic.

Figure 5.2 (b) Standard specimens for Tensile Test of Sic 400 mesh and fraction weight of Sic

Figure 5.2 (C) Specimens after test on UTM of Sic 220 mesh

Figure 5.2 (D) Specimens after test on UTM of Sic 400 mesh

The results of tensile test of Al/ Sic –mmc’s of various sizes Sic and weight fraction of Sic

particles (3.5%, 6.5%, 9.5%, and 12.5%) are shown below.



Table 5.1 (A) Ultimate tensile strength in MPa & Weight % of Sic

Weight % of Sic 0% 3.5% 6.5% 9.5% 12.5%

220 mesh Sic 96 105 117 131 157

400 mesh Sic 98 109 123 140 169

Table 5.1 (B) Yield Strength in MPa & Weight % of Sic

Weight % of Sic 0% 3.5% 6.5% 9.5% 12.5%

220 mesh Sic 75.5 95.4 104.6 115.4 120.3

400 mesh Sic 77.9 97.4 107.6 120.4 131.5

Table 5.1 (C) % Elongation MPa & Weight % of Sic

Weight % of Sic 0% 3.5% 6.5% 9.5% 12.5%

220 mesh Sic 22 18.4 15.7 13.2 11.7

400 mesh Sic 20.4 17.8 14.8 12.9 11.2

5.3. Hardness:

Hardness test was performed on Micro Vickers Hardness Testing Machine at room

temperature. The testing machine was having model no. MVI-PC with microvicksys software

and machine Sr. No. 01/2017/1683. The hardness testing machine was manufactured by Fuel

Instruments & Engineers Pvt.Ltd. Model – PC is automatic Micro -Vickers hardness tester.

The hardness number with reference to scale HV were taken for specimens and shown by

table, graphs. The figure 5.3 (M) shown the hardness testing machine below.

Figure 5.3 (M)

Table 5.3 (A) Hardness & weight % Sic

Weight % of Sic 0 3.5 6.5 9.5 12.5

220 mesh 46 51.3 52.60 66.7 72.4

400 mesh 49.8 66.3 68.22 70.4 76.1



6. RESULT GRAPHS:

Graph between Ultimate Tensile Strength and Fraction weight of Sic

Figure 6.1 Graph between Yield Strength and faction weight of Sic

Figure 6.2 Graphs between Elongation and fraction weight of Sic

Figure 6.3 Graph between Vickers’s micro Hardness values and fraction weight of Sic

Figure 6.4

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0% 3.50% 6.50% 9.50% 12.50%

Yie

ld s

tre

ngt

h in

Mp

a

Wt % of SiC

220 mesh

400 mesh



7. CONCLUSIONS

The Experimental Investigation provides the following Conclusions:

a) Microstructure: Optical micrographs showed homogeneous dispersion of SiC

particles in Al/SiC MMC’s in increasing trend in sample testing.

b) Tensile Strength: During the tensile test results, the tensile strength (MPa), yield

strength (MPa) increasing with the increase in reinforcement particulate size (220

mesh, 400 mesh) and weight fraction of Sic particles (3.5%, 6.5%, 9.5%, 12.5 %). The

increase in reinforced particulate size (220 mesh, 400 mesh ) and weight fraction (3.5

%, 6.5%, 9.5%, 12.5%) then % Elongation and % Reduction in area decrease

gradually.

c) Hardness (HV): During the hardness testing of Al/Sic –MMC’s samples, hardness

increases with increase in reinforcement particulate size (220 mesh, 400 mesh and

weight fraction (3.5%, 6.5%, 9.5%, 12.5%) of Sic particles.

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EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES … · of MMC’S by stir casting technique comprise rising a ... 102 editor@ ... 220 mesh Sic 75.5 95.4 104.6 115.4 120.3