Some studies on aluminium matrix in-situ composites produced by stir casting method

Abstract

During the last two decades, metal matrix composites (MMCs) have emerged as an important class of materials for structural, wear, thermal, transportation and electrical applications. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) possess significantly improved properties including high specific
strength; specific modulus, damping capacity and good wear resistance compared to unreinforced alloys. There are several techniques to produce composites, such as liquid state, solid state and semi solid state production route. Among the entire liquid state production route stir casting route are simplest and cheapest. The aim of our project is to produce a composite with cheap and simple production route i.e. stir casting method. We have chosen low grade iron ore as the reinforcement material and commercially pure aluminium as matrix phase. For the fabrication of in-situ composite wettability of the iron ore particles by liquid Al is essential. To improve wettability, Mg is added into Al melt .After fabrication; composites have been characterized for their morphology, mechanical and wear properties to see their suitability as a wear resistance material. Wear test was performed as a function of sliding distance, applied load, sliding velocity with the help of Pin-On-Disc wear test machine. The worn surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties such as hardness have been investigated.