Characterisation of Silicon Carbide and Fly Ash in LM13 Aluminium Alloy Matrix Composites

The modern vehicles demand more thermal and mechanical properties as the speed of the vehicles is increasing. The materials used should be able to not only withstand the high temperatures but to dissipate it at a faster rate without deformation. This paper investigates the characteristics of silicon carbide (SiC) and fly ash in LM13 aluminium alloy matrix composite prepared by stir casting. The LM13 alloy has high thermal property which makes it ideal for making engines and gears. The effect of fly ash and SiC on LM13 and its influence on increasing the surface roughness was analyzed by varying their proportion. The addition of SiC and fly ash to the matrix composite increases the hardness and tensile strength of the composite which is validated by experimental results.