Wear and machinability study of SiCp reinforced and Al2O3p reinforced Al-Si alloy composites

Abstract

Keeping in mind a range of industrial applications, the performance of Al-Si alloy reinforced with ceramics as a metal matrix composites manufactured using Stir casting technique have been investigated. Aluminum-Silicon alloys of near eutectic composition (12% Silicon by weight) and Hypereutectic (17% Silicon by weight) were the matrix materials used. The two matrix materials were processed under identical conditions using two different reinforcements Silicon Carbide (SiC<inf>P</inf>) and Aluminium Oxide (Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3p</inf>) in particulate form with 0, 5, 7.5 & 10 Vol%. Wear and friction coefficients were determined from dry sliding wear tests of cast Particle Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites(PMMC's) at 20, 40, 60 N test loads and at 1.42 & 2.22m/s sliding velocities. Cutting forces exerted and Surface Roughness (Ra) produced during machining of cast PMMC's with Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) and K10 cutting inserts at 75 m/min & 118 m/min cutting speed were studied. Wear of Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3P</inf> reinforced alloys was around 20% higher than SiC<inf>P</inf> reinforced alloys. PCD cutting insert seems appropriate in machining Al-Si alloy composites needing lesser cutting force and producing better surface finish. © 2010 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l.- All right reserved.