Mechanical & Tribological Behaviour of Squeeze Casted Mg/SiC Composites for Defense Applications

Nowadays Magnesium Matrix composites (MMCs) replace conventional materials with their enhanced properties in notable biomedical applications like cardiovascular stents, dental implants, etc. and also in chemical, aerospace and automotive applications owing to lightweight structural and low density properties. This study examines the mechanical and wears characteristics of magnesium matrix composites made by a hybrid squeeze casting and stir casting process. By this liquid metallurgy manufacturing route, agglomeration and non-uniform dispersion of reinforcement particulates were reduced which in turn improves the properties and also specific performance of the produced composites. The strength and wear properties of magnesium matrix composites formed by a hybrid squeeze casting and stir process are also examined in this work. Pure Mg powder is chosen as base and Micron sized Silicon Carbide is taken as reinforcement companion to fabricate magnesium composites of different weight (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12%) fractions. It was observed that enhancement in Micro hardness to 40%, Wear test results shows 28% reduction in wear rate with addition of 12 wt% SiC when compared with pure magnesium composite. It was also noted that the addition of 12 wt% SiC, the produced composite’s compressive behaviour is increased from 83 to 176 MPa.