Fabrication Microstructutre Mechaical and Tribological Behavior of Chilled Aluminium alloy LM 13 Reinforced with Titanium Carbide TICP Metal Composites for IC Engine Applications

Abstract

Over the past forty years, Particulate Reinforced Aluminum-matrix Composites (PAMC) have newlinebeen experiencing the attention of researchers. This is because of their low cost and nearisotropic newlineproperties especially in those applications not requiring extreme loading or thermal newlineconditions (e.g., automotive components). PAMC material system, among Metal Matrix newlineComposites (MMCs), offers superior combination of properties and hence are tried and used in newlinenumerous structural, nonstructural and functional applications. newlineLiquid phase fabrication of composite materials using solidification and casting techniques has newlinelong been considered economically viable owing primarily to low viscosity of liquid metals, net newlineshape-manufacturing capability of casting processes, and flexibility in designing the structure by newlinecontrolled solidification. While looking for enhanced Mechanical properties in Particulate newlinereinforced MMCs, Percentage fraction of particulate additions and the solidification rate newlinebecomes the most dominant parameters during solidification processing. Controlled newlinesolidification in sand casting process using chills is one among many existing foundry practices. newlineOne of the important factors that affect the heat transfer from the solidifying casting is the newlineresistance offered at the composite casting/chill interface. Hence composite fabrication via stircasting newlineroute under controlled solidification using end-chills is adopted in the present newlineinvestigation. newlineParticulate composite systems such as Al/SiC, Al/Al2O3 and Al/TiC have been fabricated earlier newlineand are tested for their mechanical, thermal and wear properties. Other aluminum based newlinecomposite systems using particulates of TiB2, B4C, SiO2, WC, BN, and ZrO2 have also been newlineinvestigated. However, very little work has been reported so far on Al/TiC particulate newlinecomposites. Among ceramics, titanium carbide (Tic)) is chemically very stable and is known to newlinepossess high hardness and elastic modulus with excellent thermal stability. Hence zircon stands newlineas potential candidate for reinforceme