Mechanical Properties of an Aluminium Or Silicon Carbide Composite Connecting Rod Containing Varying Volume Fractions of SIC

Mechanical Properties of an Aluminium Or Silicon Carbide Composite Connecting Rod Containing Varying Volume Fractions of SIC

Project / Seminar Material
Reference ID: PS-3425-TM

DEDICATION

This research material titled “Mechanical Properties of an Aluminium Or Silicon Carbide Composite Connecting Rod Containing Varying Volume Fractions of SIC” is dedicated to God for his enabling grace, and to all computer enthusiasts who contributed to make life a pleasant experience during my research documentation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the completion of this project. Special thanks to my Supervisor (Name of your Supervisor), the Head of Department (Name of your HOD), the Lecturers in the department of Mechanical Engineering, Book Authors and Profound Scholars of existing or related project material on “Mechanical Properties of an Aluminium Or Silicon Carbide Composite Connecting Rod Containing Varying Volume Fractions of SIC” for their invaluable guidance, support, and expertise throughout the journey.

I am also grateful to your study area (mention any funding organizations, if applicable) for their financial assistance. This research would not have been possible without the encouragement and assistance of some stakeholders (mention any mentors, teachers, or colleagues). Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the understanding and patience of my family and friends during this endeavor. Your unwavering support has been a constant source of motivation. Thank you all for being part of this meaningful endeavor.

ABSTRACT

Metal Matrix Composites (MMC's) have evoked a keen interest in recent times for potential applications. Composite materials like Particle-reinforced Aluminium Silicon carbide (Al/SiC) Metal-Matrix Composite is gradually becoming very important materials in manufacturing industries e.g. aerospace, automotive and automobile industries due to their superior properties such as light weight, low density, high strength to weight ratio, high hardness, high temperature and thermal shock resistance, superior wear and corrosive resistance, high specific modulus, high fatigue strength etc.

In this study, Connecting rods made from commercial pure aluminum alloy (about 99.1% purity) / Silicon carbide (SiC) reinforced particles metal-matrix composites (MMCs) are fabricated by green sand casting. The MMCs connecting rods (Big end ø 68 mm, pin end ø 32 mm, 136 mm Center to Center height) are prepared by varying the reinforced particles by weight fraction ranging from 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20 %. The average reinforced particles size of SiC are 75 microns (µm), 125 microns (µm) and 300 microns (µm) respectively.

The microstructure and mechanical properties like Ultimate tensile strength (MPa), Breaking strength (MPa), Elastic Modulus (Mpa), % Elongation, Hardness (HRB), are investigated on prepared specimens of MMCs. It was observed that the hardness of the composite is increased with increasing of reinforced particle weight fraction. The tensile strength is increased with rising of reinforced weight fraction. Different mechanical tests were conducted and presented by varying the particle size and weight fractions of the Silicon carbide (SiC) particulates.

Mechanical Properties of an Aluminium Or Silicon Carbide Composite Connecting Rod Containing Varying Volume Fractions of SIC

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction

A composite is considered to be any multiphase material that exhibits a significant proportion of the properties of both constituent phases such that a better combination of properties is realized. This is termed as the ‘principle of combined action' (2). According to this principle, better combinations are fashioned by the judicious combination of two or more distinct materials. All composites generally have one thing in common: a matrix or binder combined with a reinforcing material, within which is a dispersion of one or more phases of another material.

Metal matrix composites, as we know today have evolved significantly during the past few years. The primary support of the composites has come from the aerospace industry for airframe and spacecraft structures. More recently the automotive, electronics and recreation industries have been working diligently with these composites. The driving force behind the development of most of the existing composites has been their capability to be designed to provide needed types of material behaviour.

The focus of research and development in the metal matrix composites (MMCs) area has recently shifted toward low-cost discontinuously reinforced composites which are targeted for automotive and aerospace applications. The optimum properties of MMCs and the enhanced performance from these materials however depend on the judicious selection of the metallic matrix material, reinforcing phase and the processing technique. The composite fabrication technique is an important consideration. For a given set of constituents, the fundamental link between properties and cost is determined by the fabrication method. Processing in general, is concerned with the introduction of reinforcement into the matrix with a uniform distribution. The major hurdle is the achievement of proper bonding between the matrix and the reinforcement in order to attain good load transfer between phases.

A wide variety of fabrication techniques have been explored for metal matrix composites. These include liquid phase methods, deposition of matrix from a semi solid or vapour phase, and solid state consolidation. Liquid phase processing has attractive economic aspects. Chopped fibres, porous ceramics compacts and particulates have been incorporated into matrix alloys. In some cases, pressure assistance has been used to infiltrate the reinforcement with the molten matrix. These methods result in microstructures dictated by the solidification of the molten metal. The green sand casting technique has been among the simplest and the most economical processes of fabricating the particulate metal matrix composites. However due to poor wetting of the ceramic particles by molten alloy, the introduction and uniform dispersion of the reinforcement into the liquid matrix is difficult.

…

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

This chapter focuses on the review of related literature. A literature review includes the current knowledge as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic. It documents the state of the art with respect to the topic you are writing. It surveys the literature in the topic selected. In this research work the literature review includes the …

Summary Headlines for Mechanical Properties of an Aluminium Or Silicon Carbide Composite Connecting Rod Containing Varying Volume Fractions of SIC