Evaluation of Mechanical Behavior of Al-Alloy/Sic Metal Matrix Composites With Respect To Their Constituents Using Taguchi Techniques

Vol. 1 No. 2

Year: 2011

Issue: February-April

Title: Evaluation of Mechanical Behavior of Al-Alloy/Sic Metal Matrix Composites With Respect To Their Constituents Using Taguchi Techniques 

Author Name: Chennakesava Reddy Alavala 

Synopsis: 

The matrix alloy Al 6061 contributes very large values of yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, ductility and bending force to the Al-alloy/SiC metal matrix composites. The matrix alloy 7072 exhibits lower ductility to the Al-alloy/SiC metal matrix composites than the matrix alloy Al 6063. Mg improves the wettability between Al and SiC particles by reducing the SiO2 layer on the surface of the SiC. The SiC particles are distributed unevenly in the as-cast composite with no distinct evidence of clustering but very little agglomeration. MgO and MgAl2O3 are formed along the grain boundaries. The phases Al2Cu, Mg2Si are also observed in the microstructures of Al-alloy/SiC composites. With increasing volume fraction, more load is transferred to the reinforcement which results in a higher yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and bending force to the Al-alloy/SiC composites. The decrease in ductility can be attributed to the earlier onset of void nucleation with increasing amount of reinforcement in Al-alloy/SiC metal matrix composites. The decrease in the particle size increases the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, bending force, and ductility (tensile elongation).