Characterising the Mechanical Properties of a Composite Material Comprising Aluminium and Silicon Carbide

Abstract

Aluminium silicon carbide (Al-SiC) compounds, highly valued for their outstanding mechanical properties in aerospace, automotive, and structural engineering, were comprehensively examined in this study. The investigation began with the fabrication of Al-SiC composites by stir casting, incorporating various SiC weight fractions (0, 0.18, 0.34, 0.56, 0.69, and 0.96 wt.%) into six labelled samples. The primary focus was to evaluate how these variations affected mechanical performance, notably scrutinizing the distribution of SiC carbide particles through metallurgical microscopy. Various tests were conducted, such as tensile, hardness, and microstructure evaluations, to holistically evaluate mechanical properties. The results revealed notable enhancements in hardness and wear resistance due to the addition of SiC particles, although accompanied by reduced tensile strength. The composite material exhibited a hardness of 123 HV compared to the aluminium hardness of 93.6 HV. Additionally, the tensile stress and strain of aluminium were 261.45 MPa and 0.223 mm/mm, respectively, while those of the composite with highest tensile stress and strain were 198.49 MPa and 0.134 mm/mm, respectively. Microstructure analysis identified sample 5 as exhibiting the most uniform distribution, excelling in tensile tests, while sample 4 exhibited the least favourable characteristics among the samples. These insights offer crucial optimization pathways for Al-SiC compounds in specialized applications, showcasing their potential as high-performance engineering components. This research contributes significantly to understanding these composites, fostering the development of lightweight materials with exceptional mechanical prowess.