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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