International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE) ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-9 Issue-2, December 2019 4910 Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering & Sciences Publication Retrieval Number: B6236129219/2019©BEIESP DOI: 10.35940/ijitee.B6236.129219 Abstract: Aluminium metal matrix composite with a combination of Al6061 as base matrix and B4C as particulate up to 0 to 3% by weight in the steps of 1 wt% is manufactured by liquid metallurgy method by stir casting process. The choice of the process has been concluded from the literature survey and is tabulated. The steps involved in the processing of composite have been reported in detail. A conventional stir casting technique and the steps followed are recorded. The different process parameters controlled during the process have been reported. With the processing of the composite, the chemical stability between the particulate and the alloy matrix as known from its properties has been ascertained. The addition of wettability agent and thus its effect has been discussed. The optical microscope images of the processed composite have been presented in the paper as an indication to successful fabrication of composite. Based on the images, distribution of particulates in matrix alloy and possible reasons for this to get exhibited have been discussed. The paper aims at bridging the gap of essentials of wetting of solid particulates and the practice of casting. Keywords: Metal matrix composites, Particulate reinforcement, Wettability, Bonding I. INTRODUCTION The extraordinary performance of composite materials compared with monolithic materials has been widely studied by investigators [1-4]. The earthenware particulates filled composite materials display improved resistance for indentation and found applications like automobile segments as cylinder, pistons, calipers, cylinder rings, microwave channel, vibrator segment, contactors, impellers and space structures [5]. Amongst Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) Aluminum (Al) composites have demonstrated excellent mechanical properties [6-8]. Sliding speed and distance, weight percentages of reinforcement and applied load has considerable impact on height loss due to friction and wear of Al6061 and Al6061-TiO 2 composites [9, 10]. The straightforward reason behind damage and following disaster of parts of machine are wear [11-13]. The goal is fabrication of Al-MMCs was compatibility of Al or its alloy with oxides, nitrides and carbides to achieve the properties that are attributed to both of them. The properties that are usually attributed to Al-MMCs are better physical and mechanical properties compared to conventional metal and are usually in between that of matrix alloy (in this paper Aluminium) and that of oxides, nitrides and carbides which Revised Manuscript Received on December 05, 2019. * Correspondence Author Veeresh Kumar G B*, Associate Dean (SA), National Institute of technology Andhra Pradesh, Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh, India. Ulhas K Annigeri, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Bengaluru, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, India. T Srinivas Rao, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Bengaluru, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, India. are added as reinforcement. Aluminium has good ductility, strength and light in weight whereas carbides are having good strength and stiff although they are brittle [14]. Al, boron carbide and alumina for example possess comparable mechanical characteristics: Young‟s moduli are 71, 380 & 362GPa respectively and tensile strength 190-250, 255.2 and 261MPa respectively. With compatibility of these three materials, a metal matrix composite is produced which gives a maximum tensile strength of 68.24MPa [15]. There are different fabrication methods available for particulate filled MMCs; stir casting is dominantly used route to fabricate since it is easy, pliable and applicable for high quantity production, another advantage that is unique to this process is the conventional method of its procedure of manufacturing. It is also one of the economical processes of fabrication and is useful in production of large sized components [16]. The cost incurred by this casting method is 33% - 50% of that compared to other methods and for a very large production; the cost can fall down to 10% of other methods [17]. Stir casting technique can be used to manufacture composites with a maximum quantity of reinforcement up to 30% by volume with good bonding of matrix and reinforcement [18]. It is found out from literature survey that stir casting produces a composite that enhances the properties as compared to a monolithic metal. In this study it was to ascertain the fabrication feasibility with a wettability agent and hence the distribution of the boron carbide in the Al6061 alloy after fabrication of the composite since it is reported that the other combinations such as Al-SiC are reactive systems [19]. There has been very little research with boron carbide as reinforcement due to high raw material cost. Boron carbide is a hard-ceramic particle with good strength and wear resistance. It has excellent chemical and thermal stability. It is useful in applications such as bullet proof vests, neutron absorber in nuclear plants and armor tanks [20]. It has higher hardness and lower density as compared to SiC and Al2O3. The other commonly used fabrication process for MMCs is the powder metallurgy where the powders of reinforcement and Aluminium alloy are blended, sintered and worked plastically. Table 1 Differentiation for particulate reinforced MMCs [21] Process Attributes Stir Casting Near to net shape process, can use ingots rather than powders and is least expensive Powder metallurgy No near to net shape process, Higher amount of reinforcement can be added, costly Squeeze Casting Net shapes can be produced, molds and presses are costly to fabricate Stir casting process for fabrication of Al-MMCs involves melting the aluminium or its alloy in a crucible and incorporating the reinforcement in the vortex Manufacturing Feasibility of Al6061and Boron Carbide Particulate Reinforcement to Cast a Metal Matrix Composite with Wettability Agent Veeresh Kumar G B, Ulhas K Annigeri, T Srinivas Rao,