Effect of L/D ratio on Al-Si functionally graded material cast through centrifuge technique

Abstract

Functionally Graded Material (FGM) is a class of material wherein the properties and structure are varied intentionally from one side to the other side of the specimen. This paper describes the effect of L/D (Length to Diameter) ratio of the cast on cast Al-Si FGM. The present study uses Al-17%wt Si to cast FGM's. The cast is evaluated for Microstructure and Hardness all along the length of the specimen. Three L/D ratios: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 were cast using the Centrifuge Technique. The microstructures showed that enrichment of primary Si was largest in 1.5 ratio compared to other two. Hardness value of the cast at the upper and lower region were examined and found that gradient of hardness was more in 1.5 case. High volume percentage of primary Si was nearly 26% in the upper region and a hypoeutectic structure in the lower region. © (2011) Trans Tech Publications.