International Journal of Engineering Research

S. P. Saikeerthi ¹, B. Vijayaramnath ¹, C. Elanchezhian ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Mechanical Engineerng, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai-44, IN

Abstract

Metal matrix composite (MMC) focuses primarily on improved specific strength, high temperature and wear resistance application. From the collected literature it is found that, metal matrix composites are under serious consideration as potential candidate materials and it is mainly used to replace conventional materials in aerospace and automotive applications. So, the MMC are highly used in automotive and space applications. And the Aluminium Matrix Composite is a material with two constituent parts, one being a metal, and other being reinforcement. The aluminium matrix can be strengthened by reinforcing with hard ceramic particles like SiC, Al₂O₃, B₄C etc. In this project, aluminium 6061 alloy is chosen as one of constituent parts, which has good mechanical properties and exhibits good weldability. The mechanical properties like tensile strength and Hardness can be increased by reinforcing 6061Al matrix with Boron Carbide (B₄C) and Silicon carbide (SiC) particles. In this project, the fabrication of aluminium 6061 with boron carbide and aluminium 6061 with silicon carbide is done by stir casting process, which is a liquid state material fabrication and cost effective method. Then, the samples are tested for mechanical properties like tensile, hardness, impact, flexural. Finally the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis is done, which helps to study topography of composites and it produces images of a sample by scanning it with a focused beam of electrons.

Keywords

Metal Matrix Composite, Aluminium 6061, Boron Carbide, Silicon Carbide, StirCasting.

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K. Praveen Kumar ¹, C. Elanchezhian ¹, B. Vijayaramnath

Affiliations
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, IN

Abstract

The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate physical, mechanical, morphological and water absorption properties of polypropylene filled with wood flour as filler. New materials based on wood have the advantage that their properties can be engineered so as to correspond to user demands. The properties which can be engineered are those relating both to their utilisation and machining, in particular - the tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus of elasticity and impact resistance. The composites with different wood flour content (10%, 15% and 20%) and polypropylene (PP) were mixed by twin screw extruder and then the composites were manufactured by injection moulding method. Based on the findings in this work, the water absorption and thickness swelling of the composites increased with increasing with amount of the wood flour. Furthermore, both flexural and tensile modulus increased, while both flexural and tensile strength decreased with increasing wood flour contents. Morphological examination is carried out on the fractured surfaces by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in order to investigate the variation of the measured mechanical properties, revealed presence of micro voids resulting from weak filler-matrix interfacial adhesion.

Keywords

Polypropylene, Wood Flour, Mechanical Property, Scanning Electron Microscope, Water Absorption.

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