Synthesis and Characterization of Al7075/SiC Composite by Stir Casting

In recent years, stringent requirements of material quality in automotive and aerospace industries have necessitated the development of lightweight aluminum alloys. In this context, it is known that the metal–matrix composites offer a spectrum of advantages that are important for their selection and use as structural materials. A few such advantages include the combination of high strength, high elastic modulus, high toughness and impact resistance, low sensitivity-to changes in temperature or thermal shock, high surface durability, low sensitivity to surface flaws, high electrical and thermal conductivity, minimum exposure to the potential problem of moisture absorption resulting in environmental degradation, and improved fabricability with conventional metal working equipment Metal matrix composites (MMC) are generally produced either by liquid metallurgy or powder metallurgy techniques. Stir casting is one of the most inexpensive tools for the production of particulate metal matrix composites . It is simplest and most commercially used technique for casting MMCs. This involves incorporation of ceramic particulate into liquid aluminum alloy in molten state and allowing the mixture to solidify. Here, the crucial thing is to create good wetability between the particulate reinforcement and the liquid aluminum alloy. In this proposed work , composites of Al7075 with SiC were fabricated using Stir casting method by using both upward and downward pouring methodology .The main objective of this research work are to achieve uniform distribution of SiC particles in the aluminum alloy matrix , characterization and analysis of mechanical properties of composites formed . Experiments were carried out with different stirring speeds and specimen of different %wt of SiC were cast . Microstructure , Tensile strength and hardness values were found by conducting the corresponding tests and results were analyzed and compared . Key words - MMCs , Stir casting , Wire cut EDM , SiC reinforced metal matrix composites