Fabrication, Characterization and Mechanical Behaviour of A356/ Copper Particulate Reinforced Metallic Composites

• Published in: Materials today : proceedings Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 7685 - 7691
• Main Authors: Gopi Krishna, M., Praveen Kumar, K., Naga Swapna, M., Babu Rao, J., Bhargava, N.R.M.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2018
• Subjects: A356 Alloy; Copper powder; Stir casting technique; Copper powder; A356 Alloy; Stir casting technique
• ISSN: 2214-7853; 2214-7853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2017.11.444

Metal-matrix composites find applications where high strength to low weight ratio is obligatory. To overcome the limitations with metal ceramic composite systems metallic composite systems were developed. These systems serene of two different metals having good solubility and may give a good, uniform and attuned interface, when they are used as matrix and the reinforcement. The limited solubility led to the alloy formation passing solid solution strengthening while the undissolved particles help achieving dispersion strengthening. A356 alloy and pure copper powders has been used as matrix and reinforcements. The composites (5 to 15 wt.% reinforcements) fabricated by stir casting technique by adding pure copper powders of 53 microns. A decrease in reinforcement size was identified by escalating the volume fraction of the reinforcing particulates. Composites exhibited improved hardness compared to the matrix of the alloy. The mechanical properties of the composite, like ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, modulus of elasticity and ductility were improved when compared to the alloy.