EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF HARDNESS AND WEAR CHARACTERISTICS OFZrSiO4AND GRAPHITE REINFORCED HYBRID ALUMINIUM MMC

Abstract

Aluminum metal matrix composites (MMC) are finding applications in aerospace, automobile and general engineering industries owing to their favorable microstructure and improved mechanical behavior. Aluminium alloy Al-17Si with Zirconium Silicate (ZrSiO4) and graphite (Gr) composites were obtained by stir casting technique. Four different weight percent (3, 6, 9 & 12) of ZrSiO4 reinforcement materials were added to the base alloy in the first stage of experiment. During second stage of experiment hybrid aluminum MMC are obtained by adding different percentage of ZrSiO4 and 2% of Gr as reinforcement. The specimens were prepared as per ASTM standards and tested. Hardness and wear properties of the composite showed an improvement as compared to the alloy without ZrSiO4 additions. The present paper highlights the salient features of casting technique and characterization of aluminum alloy Al-17Si with ZrSiO4 and Gr as a reinforcement material.