RameshG. et. al; International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology
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Heat treatment on aluminum hybrid metal matrix composites
G. Ramesh
gramesh_me@yahoo.co.in
MEA Engineering College,
Malappuram, Kerala
B. Gopinath
gopi_npaktg@yahoo.co.in
NPA Centenary Polytechnic College,
Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu
V. C. Uvaraja
c_uva@rediffmail.com
Bannari Amman Institute of
Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
K. Karthick
karthickkumaran1997@gmail.com
Velammal Engineering College,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
S. Prakash
salaiprakash@gmail.com
MeenakshiSundararajan Engineering
College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
S. Harish Balaji
hb7835@gmail.com
MeenakshiSundararajan Engineering
College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
ABSTRACT
The Al alloy matrix materials exhibiting excellent mechanical properties with the addition of B4C particulates as
reinforcement. Stir cast method is preferred for preparing composite specimen materials. Then the composites were prepared
for heat treatment process by subjecting to solutionizing followed by quenching in different media for improving the
mechanical and physical properties. Further, all the specimens are subjected to artifi cial aging at a temperature of 130˚C for
different time duration. The hardness properties are examined. Due to excellent increase in the hardness the material removal
rate decreases. It is also observed that Al hybrid metal matrix composite experimented under identical heat treatment
conditions reveal significant enhancement in hardness.
Keywords: HAMMCs, Solutionizing, Artificial ageing
1. INTRODUCTION
In the recent development, metal matrix composites congregate to meet theincreasing overall demand for light weight, high
performance, eco-friendly, wear, and corrosion resistant materials. The Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites (HMMCs) are in
advance extensively used in some areas due to its enhanced mechanical properties (and lighter density) when compared with
metals/alloys, particularly in applications where weight and strength are of most important consequence. The advantages of
particulate reinforced composites over others are their formability with expenditure benefit and its different strengthening
mechanisms [1]. Hybrid Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (HAMMCs) are suitable for appliances which oblige
characteristics such as combined strength, damping properties thermal conductivity, andco-efficient of thermal expansionalong
with lesser density. The unique properties of HAMMCs enhance their usage in automotive and tribological applications [2-4] such
as in pistons, brake drum, brake disc and cylinder block. The current improvement in metallic matrices, for the fabrication of
HAMMCs consist of generally used metals viz., Al, Mg, Ti, Cu and their alloys reinforced with hard ceramic particles usually
silicon carbide, alumina, [5,6] and soft particles usually graphite, talc etc.[7,8]. The reinforcements like fibers, whiskers,and
particulates [9] areemployed particularly in Al-alloy composites leading to the latest invention of tailorable engineering materials
with superior specific properties [10, 11]. This creates significance among the researchers to deliberate both on investigational and
systematic segments of HAMMCs to expand an enhanced perceptive about the mechanical behavior of these materials and their
exceptional wear resistance.
In engineering materials system, the heat treatment processes are incredibly essential for improving the composite material
properties. The main purpose of the heat treatment is to create the material system structurally and physically strong and fit for
engineering application [12]. Heat treatment of aluminum alloys favors the maximum concentration of hardening solute to
dissolve into solution. This method is suspiciously conceded out by heat treatment of an alloy to a temperature at which one
single, solid phase exists. By this heat treatment, the solute atoms that are originally part of a two-phase solid dissolve into
solution and originates as one single phase. Once the alloy is heated to the recommended solutionizing temperature, it is quenched