Physical, Mechanical and Morphological Characterization of A356/Si3N4 Nanoparticles Stir Casting Composites

Abstract

A356 alloy based composites are extensively used in different component industries like components of automobile parts owing to pronounced strength to weight ratio. In the current paper, A356/Si3N4 nanocomposites are fabricated by means of stir casting by varying Si3N4 reinforcement nanoparticles. Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) nanoparticle is intermixed to Al powder mechanically to develop their wettability among the particles of A356/Si3N4 nanocomposites. The Si3N4 nanoparticle is integrated by altering weight percentage. The electomechanical stirring process to produce the vortex is taken up to spread Si3N4 nanoparticles in the liquefied matrix dispensed into a permanent mould. Morphological investigation of the composite specimen is accomplished by TEM. Based on the study, it can be acquired that the strengthening by Si3N4 nanoparticles promotes the strength and hardness of the fabricated nanocomposites. The maximum tensile strength is depicted to be 319 MPa for A356/5%Si3N4 nanocomposites whereas hardness is increased from 43 HBN to 86 HBN. The physical properties such as density and porosity are also increased due to the presence of Si3N4 nanoparticles. The maximum porosity of 1.12% was predicted at 5 wt. % of Si3N4. The TEM examination discloses the presence of Si3N4 nanoparticles in the fabricated composites. Additionally, the current research guidance has ability to afford a monitor to the industrialized preparation of A356/Si3N4 nanocomposites.

Comprehensive Study on the Properties of AZ91/x-Si3N4 Composites for Their Prospective Application

“…These debris particles act as solid lubricants during wear and contribute to reducing wear in the composites. The presence of similar debris particles and their roles as solid lubricants have been reported by researchers [40][41][42][43][44][45]. Also, the highlighted zones in Figure 18 demonstrate the aforementioned various features of micrographs.…”

Effects of Solutionizing and Aging Alteration on Tensile Behavior of Stir Cast LM4-Si3N4 Composites

“…It varied between 2.68 to 2.738 g/cm 3 for 0 to 12 wt.% addition; this small variation is due to the density difference between reinforcement and base alloy. Alam et al [11] mixed Si3N4 with Al powder to improve the wettability of the reinforcement with A356 and also confirmed that the presence of hard Si3N4 is responsible for the improvement in hardness and tensile strength. Similarly, Manjunath et al [12] confirmed the improvement in mechanical properties of AA2219 after the addition of Si3N4 reinforcement when preheated at 670°C to improve the wettability.…”

Comparative Study on Mechanical Property and Fracture Behavior of Age-Hardened LM4 Monolithic Composites Reinforced with TiB2 and Si3N4

“…Mohanavel et al [13] fabricated AA7178 + Si 3 N 4 composites using the stir casting method, and the results confirmed that the addition of Si 3 N 4 caused grain alteration of Al, which was the key cause for its mechanical property enhancement. Adding Si 3 N 4 reinforcements to the Al matrix resulted in an increment of mechanical properties of the fabricated composites; preheating of the Si 3 N 4 improved its wettability with the Al matrix [14][15][16]. This inclusion of reinforcements improved the heat treatability of the base alloy by accelerating the aging kinetics and allowing secondary hardening due to intermetallic precipitation.…”