Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical aluminium matrix composite (AMC) by stir casting method for automotive application

The effects of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of stir casting AMC were studied. Aluminium ADC12 composite was fabricated by various aging temperature heat treatment and time. The effect of aging temperature has been studied with variation 135, 190, and 240 °C and under various times for 6, 8, and 10 h. In the fabricated AMC some different tests were conducted to show mechanical properties. Micro-structural characterization of materials was also done. The results show that the age hardening condition for of ADC12 aluminium alloy was 190 °C for 6 h was sufficient to achieve the highest hardness of 88 HRB and highest tensile of 231 MPa. This was due to the appropriate refinement of distribution of graphite.