Open AccessEvaluation of microstructural and mechanical characteristics of stir cast A356/(0 to 20) wt.% SiCp composites
Author(s) -
T C Jibin Bose,
M. Hashim,
V. R. Rajeev
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/1114/1/012071
Subject(s) - materials science , alloy , eutectic system , composite material , microstructure , silicon carbide , ultimate tensile strength , brittleness , casting , aluminium , hardening (computing) , optical microscope , tensile testing , metallurgy , scanning electron microscope , layer (electronics)
In this work A356/(0-20%) wt.% SiC p composites were prepared from A356 base alloy through the most economical casting route i.e., stir casting method. Silicon carbide of particle size 23 micron was used as reinforcement to prepare A356/10wt.%SiC p and A356/20 wt.% SiC p composites. Microstructure of A356 and A356/(0-20)wt.% SiC p composites were examined using Leica optical microscope. Microstructural Examination showed that A356/(0-20)wt.% SiC p composites have uniform distribution of SiC particles within the two composites apart from α aluminium and eutectic Si compared to its base alloy. Hardness and tensile test were conducted for heat treated and as cast specimens. It was found that heat treated A 356 alloy and its composites have better hardness than as cast. Tensile tests were conducted on both alloy and its composites and found that brittle fracture was more likely to occur in composites wherein ductile fracture pre dominates in base alloy. XRD analysis of both alloy and its composites showed the major hardening phases such as Al 2 Cu, Mg 2 Si etc.