TITLE:
Effect of Particulate Reinforcements on the Mechanical Properties of Al6061-WC and Al6061-Gr MMCs
AUTHORS:
A. R. K. Swamy, A. Ramesha, G.B. Veeresh Kumar, J. N. Prakash
KEYWORDS:
Aluminum alloys, Tungsten carbide, Graphite, Composites, Mechanical properties.
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.10 No.12,
October
10,
2011
ABSTRACT: This paper presents the comparative study of the mechanical properties of Al6061-Tungsten
carbide composites containing Tungsten carbide (WC) particulate, and Al6061-graphite
particulate composites containing graphite particles. The reinforcing particulates in the
MMCs vary from 0% to 4% by weight. The 'vortex method' of production was employed to
fabricate the composites, in which the reinforcements were poured into the vortex created by
stirring the molten metal by means of a mechanical agitator. The composites so produced
were subjected to a series of tests.
The results of this study revealed that as the Tungsten carbide particle content was increased,
there were significant increases in the ultimate tensile strength, hardness and Young's
modulus, accompanied by a reduction in its ductility. There was, however, only a very
marginal increase in the compressive strength, where as in graphite reinforced composites as
the graphite content was increased, there were significant reduction in hardness and
monotonic increases in the ductility, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), compressive strength
and Young's modulus of the composite, An attempt is made in the paper to provide
explanations for these phenomena.