Effect of reinforcement of AL-6063 with SiC on mechanical behavior and microstructure of metal matrix composites

A phrase heard often in recent years, advanced composite materials like Al/SiC metal matrix composite is gradually becoming very important materials in auto and aerospace industries due to their superior properties. The present study examines the mechanical properties of aluminum (Al-6063)/SiC Silicon carbide reinforced particles metal-matrix composites (MMCs) by varying weight fractions of SiC. For this (Al-6063)/SiC reinforced particles MMCs are fabricated by stir casting method at air atmosphere . The MMCs are prepared in the form of bars with varying the reinforced particles by weight fraction ranging from 2 %, 4 %, 6 %, 8 % and 10 %. The reinforced particles size of SiC is varying between 25-40 microns. The microstructure study shows that the distribution of particles becomes better with increasing weight fraction of SiC. The Mechanical properties like, Ultimate tensile strength (MPa), % Elongation, Hardness (HRB), Yield Strength (N.m) are investigated on prepared specimens of MMCs. It was observed that the hardness of the composite is increased gradually from 2-6 % and drastically from 8-10%. The tensile strength and ultimate break load are increased with rising of reinforced weight fraction and the improvement varies between 15.8- 27 % and 2-15 % respectively