A Investigation on Mechanical and Metallurgical Properties of Steel EN24 and SiC MMCs

In this present research work, microstructure and mechanical properties of steel EN 24 and SiC metal matrix composites were investigated. The composites were prepared using liquid metallurgy process in which steel EN24 as a matrix and SiC as reinforcement. The content of silicon carbide in the steel EN24 matrix varied from 2 to 6% (by weight) in steps of 2%. The annealing heat treatment was carried out on the prepared composites to make them machinable and to relieve the initial thermal stress and also to nullify the effect of directional solidification. On the freshly prepared composite specimens, Brinell's Hardness tests were carried out, it showed an increase in hardness with increasing percentage of SiC, maximum increase was obtained 298BHN for the specimen with 6% SiC. When the compressive strength was computed, the compressive strength has increased to 44kg/mm2 when the base metal was reinforced with 6% of SiC.