Production Technique of Aluminum Based SiCp Metal Matrix Composites

Aluminum is a lightweight material. Its strength, stiffness, hardness and wear resistance can be improved by adding ceramic particles like SiC, Al2O3 and TiB2. Aerospace, aeronautics and automobile engineering components are very much depend on the composite like aluminium based SiC particulates reinforced metal matrix composites. There is a challenge of the addition and uniform distribution of SiC particles in an aluminium matrix in the casting process. Hardness improves due to the addition of SiC particle in an aluminium matrix which is different from individual matrices. Hardness and Wear resistance will increase by increasing SiC particles because it is harder than other ceramic particles. In our work, relatively low cost method of Stir casting for producing Al based SiC metal matrix composite has been taken. Different particle size (<53 µm, 53 µm, 74 µm, 104 µm) of SiC is used to compare the quality of the product. Wear resistance and hardness property increases at 9% SiC in Aluminum matrices. Distribution of the SiC particle in the matrix and SEM micrograph of worn surface of the Al-9%SiC at different load and different speed condition has also been investigated.