Microstructure, Thermal, Thermo-mechanical and Fracture Analyses of Hybrid AA2024-SiC Alloy Composites

This research work aims to investigate the inter-correlation between microstructure, thermal (thermal conductivity, thermo-gravimetric analysis), thermo-mechanical (dynamic mechanical analysis) and fracture characteristics of hybrid AA2024-SiC alloy composites fabricated via semi-automatic stir-casting process, as per standard industrial practice. Silicon Carbide (SiC) particulates of varying amount (0-6 wt%; @ step of 2%) were used to reinforce master batch of AA2024 wrought alloy, Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) and graphite particulates. The thermal conductivity and storage-modulus magnitudes of alloy composites have shown diminishing trend with hard SiC reinforcing phase, while material stability, viscous modulus, damping factor and fracture toughness have shown significant improvement. Uniform dispersion and better interfacial adhesion between matrix-reinforcement were observed from metallographic examination. The XRD analysis identified the different phases of the hybrid alloy composites. The trends in variations of physical, mechanical and tribological properties were supported by microstructure analysis, thermal analysis, thermo-mechanical analysis and fracture analysis.