Development of Nickel Alloy Reinforced with Fused SiO2 Chilled Composites and Evaluation of Thermal Properties (Thermal Conductivity & Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) and Temperature Distribution by Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Abstract

This paper presents the results obtained and the discussions made from a series of thermal experiments involving Nickel alloy (ASTM A 494 M) reinforced with fused SiO2, and size of the particles dispersed varies from 80 - 120 μm and amount of addition varies from 3 to 12 wt.% in steps of 3 wt.%. The resulting chilled MMCs are solidified under the influence of copper chill of 25 mm thickness to study the effect of chilling on thermal behaviour. Microstructural studies indicated that the reinforcement distribution is uniform with very good bonding due to chilling effect. Thermal properties were found to decrease significantly with increase in SiO2 content in chilled MMCs. It is concluded from the research that reinforcement content and the temperature has an effect on coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity of the chilled composite developed. Finite element analysis of the exhaust valve of the IC indicates that chilled Ni alloy composite developed in the present research can be used as alternate material for the existing valve material (Ni-Cr alloy steel). All the tests conducted in this research are in conformance with ASTM standards.