Manufacturing and Machining of A356 alloy - SiC Metal Matrix Composite

This book presents the synthesis of A356 alloy with SiC particle reinforced metal matrix composites by stir casting and vacuum hot pressing assisted powder metallurgy techniques. Effects of T6 heat treatment on the proceeded composites were reported. Microstructure analysis was carried out to assess the distribution of the SiC particles in the Al matrix. Hardness, tensile strength, compressive strength, and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) have been measured both on base alloy and composite materials, before and after the heat treatment. A brief analysis of machinability of the composite with varying SiC particle size and its reinforcement quantities during end milling process is discussed. Effect of machining parameters and SiC particle addition on MMC in terms of cutting force, surface roughness, tool work interface temperature, MRR and chip formation has been analyzed in detail.