Use of Modified Stir Casting Technique to Produce Metal Matrix Composites

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are highly attractive for large range of hi-tech engineering applications because of their useful properties. However the methods used to produce these composites are constantly evolving particularly in getting rid of non-uniform distribution of the reinforcement. Stir casting is the most commonly used method for production of particulate reinforced cast metal matrix composites. A recently developed modification of stir casting has been used in the present investigation to produce aluminum-magnesium matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide. The tensile properties of the resulting composites are measured. The improvements in the tensile properties are appreciable. The matrix alloy was also prepared using the same plunger technique. Here the usual solid shaft stirrer is replaced by a hollow spindle stirring mechanism through the additions of particulate silicon carbide and magnesium turnings were introduced in small cylindrical capsules. In the present work the XRD was used to detect the presence of SiC. Tensile strength of the prepared composite materials are much higher than the matrix showing the effectiveness of the Modified stir casting technique.