An investigation on the Mechanical properties of Al-Mg2si-siC hybrid Composites

Aluminum hybrid metal matrix composites are the field of interest of researchers because they are widely used in aerospace and automobile industries. A hybrid composite benefits the properties of two or more reinforcement materials and could contain unique physical, mechanical and tribological properties which are not achievable in other materials. In this study different amounts of SiC microsize (37 μm) particles were added to Al-Mg2Si composite using stir casting method. Then, hot extrusion was applied to the specimens. Finally, the effect of different amounts of SiC on the mechanical properties of Al-Mg2Si in-situ composite was investigated. The microstructure characteristics of the composite was studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that SiC particles had a good dispersion in the Al-Mg2Si matrix. The hardness increased from 110 for the bas composite to 135 brinell for the composite containing 9 wt. % SiC. The amounts of YS and UTS of the Al-Mg2Si composite was 90 and 160 MPa respectively and the addition of 9 wt. % SiC enhanced these values to 125 and 260 MPa respectively. However, the addition of SiC reduced the elongation from 6.7 % to 1 %. Moreover, the addition of 9 wt. % SiC increased the ultimate compressive strength from 280 to 430 MPa.

Keywords:

Hybrid , Metal , Matrix , Composite Mg2Si , SiC , Mechanical Properties