Fabrication of Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced With SiC/Al2O3/TiB2

Looking at the need for composite materials, a trial was made to fabricate hybrid metal matrix composite. Efforts were taken to develop composite with three emerging reinforcements like SiC/Al2O3/TiB2 and its compositions were 5%, 3% and 2% respectively. The aluminium metal matrix designed for this composite is aluminium alloy Al6061. Stir casting bottom pouring technique was used to fabricate the specimen successfully. The fabricated Hybrid metal matrix composite after various attempts was made to undergo various tests to examine its strength and property. Specimen was made from the casting and micro structural analysis was carried out using optical microscope and SEM. Results of micro structural analysis prove the existence and dispersion of reinforcements in the matrix phase.. Specimens were prepared in order to test its hardness due to the addition reinforcements. Vickers hardness test and its value which is equal to 122.13 HRC indicate elevated hardness value upto 50% when compare to the hardness value of parent alloy. Tensile specimens were prepared using wire EDM as per ASTM E8 standards. There is no considerable improvement in tensile strength due to addition of above reinforcements. Failure analysis was carried and the factors caused failure was analyzed. In order to study and understand the wear resistance property of Composite which it is mainly known for, wear test was carried out and test results proves the increase in wear resistance property of Composite in terms of frictional force and coefficient of friction.