Synthesis and characterization of 7075 Al alloy–SiC composites

Abstract

PurposeMechanical properties are highly sensitive to the microstructure, and these are indirectly related to solidification parameters and processing conditions. AA7075 possesses lightweight and excellent properties as structural material which can be optimized with SiCp addition and a good fabrication technique.Design/methodology/approach7000 series aluminium alloys exhibit the highest mechanical properties. They are used for high-strength structural applications such as aircraft parts and sporting goods. The desirable properties of these alloys are: low density, high stiffness, specific strength, good wear resistance and creep resistance. The focus of this work is to investigate the microstructure of composites formed by the dispersion of silicon carbide particles (SiC) into AA7075 by stir casting processes. 7075 Al alloy is reinforced with 10 and 15 wt.% SiCp of size 10–20 µm by stir casting process. The composites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis and electron probe microscopic analysis.FindingsSiCp distribution and interaction with AA7075 matrix have been studied. AA7075/10 wt.%/SiCp (10–20 µm) and AA7075/15 wt.%/SiCp (10–20 µm) composites microstructure showed excellent SiCp distribution into AA7075 matrix. In addition, no evidence of secondary chemical reactions has been observed in X-ray diffraction and electron probe microscopic analysis.Originality/valueLittle experimental work has been reported so far about effect of addition of 10 and 15 wt.% SiCp of size (10–20 µm) on the microstructure of 7075 Al alloy fabricated by stir casting process. The present investigation has been carried out to study the microstructure and carry out XRD, DTA and EPMA analysis of 7075 Al alloy, 10 and 15 wt.% SiCp of size (10–20 µm) composite and detect the interfacial reactions with the objective to minimize the formation of Al4C3.

Enhancing the tensile strength of SiC reinforced aluminium-based functionally graded structure through the mixture design approach

“…A wide variety of ceramic particles like SiC, Al 2 O 3 , B 4 C, WC etc. have widely been used as reinforcing particles for aluminium (Rao and Rao, 2021;Bhushan, 2021). Al-Si alloys which are reinforced with SiC particles to manufacture metal matrix composites are used in cases where the elements are subjected to extreme wear conditions, particularly in the automobile and aircraft sector.…”

Effect of temperature on wear and friction behavior of as-cast and heat-treated LM25/SiC aluminum matrix composites

“…Gradually, ferrous metals have been replaced by aluminum alloys for manufacturing of automobile components (Lozano et al, 2009). Numerous studies were reported on the tribological properties of AMCs at ambient temperature (Bhushan, 2020;Soundararajan et al, 2020;Idusuyi and Olayinka, 2019;Kaushik and Singhal, 2018;Poria et al, 2016). In some cases, applications involving high temperatures like cylinder block and brake pad/disc are also studied at ambient temperature (Kumar et al, 2010;Lozano et al, 2009;Uyyuru et al, 2007).…”