Mechanical and Tribological Properties of As-Cast Al6061-Tungsten Carbide Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract
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Acknowledgement
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Article | Open Access

Mechanical and Tribological Properties of As-Cast Al6061-Tungsten Carbide Metal Matrix Composites

A. R. K. Swamy¹*, A. Ramesha², J. N. Prakash³ and G. B. Veeresh Kumar⁴

¹Dr. M.G.R. University, Chennai and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Don Bosco Institute of Technology, Bangalore - 560 074 (India).

²GATES Institute of Technology, Gooty, (India). Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alpha College of Engineering,

³Doddagubi Post, Hennur – Bagalur Road. Bangalore, Karnataka - 562 149 (India).

4Department of Mechanical Engineering, S B M J College of Engineering, Jain Global Campus, Jakkasandra (P), Kanakapura (Tq), Ramanagram (Di) (India).

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/msri/070205

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ABSTRACT:

The Aluminum (Al) and its alloys are finding extensive applications in industries like automobile, aerospace and marine fields. Aluminum-based Metal Matrix Composites (MMC?s) reinforced with hard particulates offer superior operating performance and resistance to wear. Al based MMC materials provide higher abrasive resistance and provide a longer service life compared to other materials. The popularity of composites may be the reason that these composites possess good mechanical properties, good corrosion resistance, wear resistance in addition they are light-in-weight. In this paper it is aimed to present the experimental results of the studies conducted related to hardness, tensile strength, and compression strength of Al6061-Tungstan Carbide (WC) composites. The composites were prepared using the liquid metallurgy technique (stir casting technique), in which 0-4 wt. % of reinforcing tungsten carbide particulates were dispersed into the base matrix alloy in steps of 1%. The obtained cast composites of Al6061-WC and unreinforced base alloy was subjected mechanical tests and composites were subjected to microstructural examination. The test results reveal that the hardness and strength of the alloy has increased monotonically. The wear resistance obtained using computerized pin on disc wear tester with counter surface as EN31 steel disc (HRC60) and the composite pin as specimens, demonstrated the superior wear resistance property of the composites.

KEYWORDS:

Al6061-WC; hardness; tensile strength; compression strength; microstructure

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