Effect of Reinforcement Particles on the Fluidity and Solidification Behavior of the Stir Cast Aluminum Alloy Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

In the present work authors investigate the effect of weight percentage of SiCp on the fluidity and the rate solidification of stir cast MMCs. Experiments were carried out over range of particle weight percentage of 5.0-12.5 wt% in steps of 2.5wt%. Spiral castings and three-stepped castings of aluminum alloy (LM6) and its composites reinforced with different weight fractions SiCp have produced to study the fluidity of MMCs and solidification behavior of its castings by putting K-type thermocouples at the different step/section of the casting. The experimental results indicate that on increasing the weight percentage of reinforcement particles i.e. SiCp in cast aluminum alloy (LM6) MMCs the fluidity of cast composite metal decreases and the rate of solidification decreased due to which the total solidification time enhanced. This experimental result will offer good support for production of thin wall castings.

Effect of Squeeze Cast Process Parameters on Fluidity of Aluminium LM6 Alloy

“…The maximum fluidity was obtained at 30 MPa. When the applied pressure was 30 MPa, the effect it had forcing liquid into the fluidity spiral channel was more pronounced than others [4][5][6]. Incidentally, on increasing applied pressure further above 30 MPa, the molten metal moves very quickly into the spiral channel which results in increasing the cooling rate thereby decreasing its fluidity as shown in Figure 3.…”

Effects of Reinforcement Ratios and Sintering Temperatures on the Mechanical Properties of Titanium Nitride/Nickel Composites

“…Particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (PMMCs) are widely used in numerous applications such as in aviation, transportation, microelectronics, and nuclear industries; this is because of their excellent speci c strength, thermal conductivity, and high-temperature as well as abrasion resistances [1][2][3][4].…”

“…The four types of methods generally used to manufacture PMMCs are stir casting [6][7][8][9], pressure penetration [10], powder metallurgy [11][12][13][14], and mechanical alloying [10]. Although stir casting is a low-cost method that has been employed worldwide [2], powder metallurgy can avoid the following unwanted phenomenon, namely: (i) agglomeration of the ceramic particles during mechanical agitation, (ii) settling of the ceramic particulates, (iii) segregation of the secondary phases in the metal matrix, (iv) extensive interfacial reactions, and (v) ceramic particulate fracture during mechanical agitation [15].…”

Effects of Reinforcement Ratios and Sintering Temperatures on the Mechanical Properties of Titanium Nitride/Nickel Composites

“…Particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (PMMCs) are widely used in numerous applications such as in aviation, transportation, microelectronics and nuclear industries; this is because of their excellent specific strength, thermal conductivity, and high-temperature as well as abrasion resistances [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. PMMCs are reinforced by ceramic particles that have been dispersed in a metal matrix.…”

“…The four types of methods generally used to manufacture PMMCs are stir casting [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ], pressure penetration [ 10 ], powder metallurgy [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] and mechanical alloying [ 10 ]. Although stir casting is a low-cost method that has been employed worldwide [ 2 ], powder metallurgy can avoid the following unwanted phenomenon, namely: (i) agglomeration of the ceramic particles during mechanical agitation, (ii) settling of the ceramic particulates, (iii) segregation of the secondary phases in the metal matrix, (iv) extensive interfacial reactions, and (v) ceramic particulate fracture during mechanical agitation [ 15 ].…”