Effect of stirrer design on microstructure of MWCNT and Al alloy by stir casting process

ABSTRACT

Composites are proven a better option for automobile, aerospace industry especially due o its specific strength to weight ratio. Aluminium metal matrix composites having its own advantages, stir casting is the most attractive liquid processing method to fabricate the metal matrix composites but the particle distribution inside the matrix is the important concern.. The objective of research work was to investigate the effect of different stirrer design along with bottom pouring technique on the particle distribution in the matrix to prepare a composite.  Three different type of stirrer have been designed and used during mixing of reinforcing particles. Composite is prepared via stir casting route with multi walled carbon nano tubes (1.0 wt. %) as reinforcing element and aluminium alloy 6061 as matrix. On investigating the microscopic results, the distribution of reinforcing particles seems uniform and homogeneous with four-bladed disc turbine stirrer compare to others.

KEYWORDS:

• Metal matrix composite
• stir casting
• MWCNT
• stirrer design
• SEM

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.