Microstructure analysis and Hardness of Al C355.0 with step varying weight of Hematite particulate reinforcement
¹Visvesvaraya Technological University-Jnana Sangama, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Research scholar, Belgaum, IN590018 Karnataka, India
²South East Asia College of Engineering and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ekta Nagar, Basavannapura, K.R.Puram, Bangalore, IN560049 Karnataka, India
³MVJ College of Engineering, Department Of Aerospace Engineering, Near ITPB, whitefield, Bangalore, IN560067 Karnataka, India
⁴Gopalan College of engineering and Management , Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seetharam Palya, Basavanagar, Bangalore, IN560048 Karnataka, India
*Correspondence: rajeshtrgcem@gmail.com
Abstract:
A detail study on the microstructure of engineered Al C355.0 metal matrix with step varying weight of hematite particulate reinforcement from 0–12% in the step of 3% by using stir casting method in the copper chills with and without water circulation is carried out in the present work. It was earlier realized that copper chills increase the hardness of metal matrix compared to its base alloy. The novelty lies in the circulation of water during solidification process so that a stronger matrix reinforcement bonding, low cluster regions, grain reinfinement with minimum porosity could be achieved. The maximum hematite particulate size was 150 μm. From the Scanning Electron microscope, it is clear that there was good distribution of reinforcement in the matrix but not exactly clear whether it is uniform or non-uniformly distributed. SEM and XRD analysis results show the presence of hematite in the matrix. With increase in reinforcement the hardness increased up to 9% of the reinforcement and then decreased. It is concluded that water circulation on casted composites have good effect in improving the hardness of the Al C355.0 at 9% of hematite resulting to BHN 128 and without water circulation it was found to be BHN 124. It is realized that water circulation improves the hardness of the composite for all the cases with hematite as particulate reinforcement for Al C355.0.
Key words:
copper chills, hematite, microstructure., water circulation