Manufacture of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite (Al7075-SiC) by Stir Casting Technique

Development of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (AMMCs) with improved tribological property has been one of the major requirements in the field of material science and technology. Nowadays, Aluminium 7075 alloy with Silicon Carbide (SiC) as reinforcement is replacing the existing components that are manufactured with Aluminium oxide reinforcement due to their higher wear resistance and creep resistance applications. As we know that in manufacturing sectors gears plays a vital role in transmitting power from one shaft to another shaft, therefore the present work focussed on the manufacturing of gear with AMMC material using stir casting process. The various tests have been conducted on AMMC material to know the various properties (Tensile strength and hardness) and it was observed that there is an increase in strength and hardness by 10 percent compared to Al6061. From Micro structure analysis conducted on the material reveals that uniform distribution of SiC particles in the metal matrix system. The performance test was conducted on the manufactured gear to analyse wear resistance of the matrix material. Stir casting method used in the matrix preparation is best economical method to produce the matrix. Al 7075-SiC matrix has been selected for the manufacture since it has potential applications in aircraft and space industries because of higher strength to weight ratio, high wear resistance and creep resistance. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.