Exploration on the effects of process parameters in squeeze casting and wedm machining of LM13 aluminium alloy and aluminium matrix composites LM13 SiC

Abstract

In manufacturing sectors and automobile fields aluminium and aluminium based composites are being used in various ranges of applications owing to their higher physical and mechanical properties. In this research, selected LM13 alloy commonly used in piston manufacturing sectors is used due to its excellent castability and good bearing properties. Among the various ceramics reinforcement particles, Silicon Carbide (SiC) has better physical and mechanical properties which needed for developing Aluminium matrix composites. If Aluminium alloy is processed through die casting process, it might produce much defects like porosity and segregation due to its non-uniform cooling rate and thus affect the properties of alloy. Squeeze casting method is sufficient to meet the prevailing demand to process clear pore free casted materials and also effective for importing substitution of critical components. It has found extensive application in automotive industry in producing aluminium front steering knuckles, chassis frames, pistons, brackets ect. The properties of squeeze casted gets varied by changing various input factors during casting process. In the present study, first experimentation on LM13 aluminium alloy and LM13/SiC composites has been fabricated by squeeze casting process with different selected input process variables at different levels such as squeeze pressure (60-140Mpa), melt temperature (660-800oC), and die temperature (150-300oC) for LM13 alloy and squeeze pressure (60-140Mpa), die temperature (150-300oC), and weight fractions of SiC particles (4-12 wt%) for LM13/SiC composites as per L9 Taguchi design of experiments. The selection of optimal input process variables are needed to fabricate complete casting with superior physical and mechanical properties like density, hardness, and tensile strength newline