Characterization and machining behavior of aluminium 6061 hybrid composites

Abstract

The recent growth of engineering materials offers a key role to meet the demand of the latest technological improvements. A blend of materials having dissimilar characteristics would result in better properties than single constituent. Such materials are called composites which possess high strength, improved wear resistance and machinability. In particular, aluminium and its alloys are attracted extensively in structural and automotive components due to their remarkable behavior. It possesses light weight, high strength to weight ratio and enhanced properties at high temperature over unreinforced alloy. Over the prolonged time, Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) have been employed successfully in many structural, military and aerospace applications. Aluminium alloys are the familiar matrix in fabricating Metal Matrix Composites (MMC). A discontinuous phase of material such as fibers, particulates and whiskers are incorporated as reinforcements. AMC reinforced with ceramics like borides, carbides, nitrides and oxides offer better mechanical behavior based on the chemical structure of aluminium matrix. Amidst the various ceramic particles, Titanium carbide (TiC) and Graphite particles (Gr) exhibit superior physical and mechanical properties like wear resistance, high resistant to chemical agents and greater hardness at elevated temperatures. By considering the above requirements, the present experimental study was carried out to fabricate TiC-Gr reinforced aluminium (6061) hybrid composite using stir casting route, since it is cost-effective and best suitable for aluminium casting. newline