Microstructure, mechanical and wear properties of the A357 composites reinforced with dual sized SiC particles

Current work reports on the development of A357 alloy composite which is reinforced with dual size SiC particles by stir casting route. Influence of different weight fractions (3% coarse+ 3% fine, 4% coarse + 2% fine, and 2% coarse + 4% fine) of dual size SiC particles on mechanical properties and wear resistance of A357 composites is the focus of this work. Hardness and tensile properties were studied for dual size composites and then were compared with A357 alloy. Microstructural study, fractured surface and worn surface investigation were carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopes respectively. Microstructural analysis showed fairly uniform dispersion of dual size SiC particles in A357 matrix with good interfacial bonding. Compared to A357 alloy, the composites showed improvement in hardness, yield, and tensile strength. In particular, composite with 4 wt. % of fine and 2 wt. % of large SiC particles displayed the highest tensile strength while composite with 4 wt. % of large and 2 wt. % of fine SiC particles exhibited high hardness and wear resistance among A357 alloy and dual particle size composites. The strengthening mechanisms that contributed to improvement in strength values were effective load transfer and dislocation strengthening due to thermal mismatch. •Uniform dispersion of dual size SiC particles in A357 matrix.•Continuous interface and good bonding between A357 matrix and dual size SiC particles.•Significant improvement in hardness and mechanical properties of dual size composites compared to A357 alloy.•Improvement in wear resistance of dual size composites compared to A357 alloy.