Exemplary encapsulate feeding in stir casting for quality composites

ABSTRACT

The focus of this paper aims at addressing the contemporary issues, i.e., agglomeration and nonuniform dispersion of reinforcement particles prevailing with stir casting method of fabricating metal matrix composites. Although it has been dealt with different approaches, viable optimal technique has not evolved so far. A novel encapsulate feeding technique aimed to accomplish uniform dispersion of ceramic reinforcement particles. In this research, we have chosen Aluminum Alloy 6061 (AA 6061) as a matrix material and cubic boron nitride (c-BN) as a reinforcement companion to form a unique combination of advanced aluminum composites to prove this innovative feeding technique. Two percent of Mg added in every casting as a wetting agent to improve binding nature between metals and ceramics. The Aluminum Boron Nitride (Al/BN) composites are fabricated through bottom type of pouring stir casting machine. Metallographic characterization ensures uniform particle dispersion. The composites are tested using pin-fin apparatus and Xe-flash laser setup and found enhanced (12%) thermal properties than pure AA 6061.

KEYWORDS:

• Stir
• casting
• encapsulate
• feeding
• thermal
• properties

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank institutes NIIST, Trivandrum, and BMSCE, Bangalore, for characterization support and indebted to Mr Logesh, Ph.D. Researcher at HKUST. The writers of this paper are willing to pay back as heartfelt gratitude for funding this research work by SERB and DST (YSS/2015/000823) and also to Selvam College of Technology management for their consistent motivation and support to carry out this work progressively at Selvam Composites Materials Research Lab (SCMRL). The SCMRL team members Mr S. Prakash (AP/Mech) and Mr R. Madeshwaran (Technician) are also acknowledged here for their boundless support in this Research Work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board [YSS/2015/000823-SERB] and Aeronautics Research & Development Board of DRDO (ARDB/01/2031808/M/1).