Study of microstructural and mechanical properties of stir cast Al (SiC-Mg-TiFe) composite

Development of metal matrix composite is becoming widespread in most engineering applications where excellent mechanical properties are required. Mechanical and microstructural properties of aluminium reinforced with silicon carbide was investigated. Ingot of aluminium was melted in a furnace at temperature ranging between 650-700 °C. Ferrotitanium and silicon carbide were preheated in a muffle furnace before addition to molten aluminium in a crucible furnace. Fixed proportions of magnesium, ferrotitanium and varying proportions of silicon carbide were utilized as reinforcements. Stirring was carried out manually for a minimum of 10 mins after the addition of each weight percent of silicon carbide. Resulting as-cast samples were sectioned for various mechanical and microstructural analysis. Microstructural studies from optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the dispersion of reinforcements in the aluminium matrix. Mechanical properties which includes hardness and tensile strength of fabricated composites were observed to increase, while XRD analysis showed various phases formed from reaction between the matrix and reinforcements.