Effect of Reinforcement Particles on the Fluidity and Solidification Behavior of the Stir Cast Aluminum Alloy Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

In the present work authors investigate the effect of weight percentage of SiCp on the fluidity and the rate solidification of stir cast MMCs. Experiments were carried out over range of particle weight percentage of 5.0-12.5 wt% in steps of 2.5wt%. Spiral castings and three-stepped castings of aluminum alloy (LM6) and its composites reinforced with different weight fractions SiCp have produced to study the fluidity of MMCs and solidification behavior of its castings by putting K-type thermocouples at the different step/section of the casting. The experimental results indicate that on increas- ing the weight percentage of reinforcement particles i.e. SiCp in cast aluminum alloy (LM6) MMCs the fluidity of cast composite metal decreases and the rate of solidification decreased due to which the total solidification time enhanced. This experimental result will offer good support for production of thin wall castings.