Wear characterization of Aluminium composite reinforced with SiC/Mg/Cu through stir casting

Abstract

The effect of pouring temperature in stir casting of Aluminium metal matrix composites with aid of SiC, magnesium and copper, were investigated. The composites were prepared by mixing 12 wt% of SiC reinforcements, 4 wt.% Mg and 2 wt.% Cu into 6061 aluminium alloy melt and solidified in different pouring temperatures (630ºC, 670ºC and 710ºC). The addition of magnesium will increase the wettability of the SiC particles with Al matrix and subsequently increase the interfacial bonding strength between reinforcement and matrix. The inclusion of copper has significant effect in wear behaviour of the composite. The wear properties of the MMC are evaluated with the corresponding processing parameter, specifically pouring temperature of the cast composite. The wear performance of Al SiC composites were experimentally determined and compared to identify the different behaviour due to change in stir casting pouring temperature. The SiC particles has effectively distributed and produced better wear resistance in 670ºC pouring temperature. The wear rate was lower in samples prepared at 670ºC pouring temperature and gradually increased for the composites prepared at other pouring temperatures.