EFFECT OF SOLUTIONISING TIME ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SQUEEZE CASTED AL 6082 – SICP COMPOSITE

Aluminum matrix composites refer to the class of light weight high performance aluminum centric material systems. The unique tailorability of the composite materials for the specific requirements makes these materials more popular in a variety of applications such as aerospace, automotive (pistons, cylinders, liners, bearings), and structural components, resulting in savings of material and energy. In this project, fabrication of Aluminum MMC by liquid metallurgy route (Squeeze Casting) is discussed in detail. The mechanical properties of 6082 aluminum alloy discontinuously – reinforced with fine particulates of SiCp reinforcement and solutionising time during heat treatment of the composite on hardness, density and impact strength have been evaluated. The cardinal reasons behind the variation in the hardness and impact strength have been discussed