EXPERIMENTAL, CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF VARIOUS COMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR AUTOMOBILE COMPONENTS

The aim of this work deals with the microstructure and the mechanical properties of silicon carbide, zirconium dioxide (SiC, ZrO2) reinforced aluminum metal matrix composite. Aluminum metal matrix composite of varying silicon carbide, zirconium dioxide content (2, 5) percentage of weight fraction were prepared by bottom stir casting technique. The composite material can be widely used in automobile industries in place of currently used materials in automobile components. Various experiments such as Rockwell hardness, Brinell hardness, tensile strength, impact (charpy, izod ) test have been performed in order to study the various characteristics and mechanical properties. The mechanical testing of fabricated composite material is performed and the mechanical properties are compared with the pure aluminum metal. The comparison of various mechanical properties of experimental materials with currently employed materials in the automobile industry. Structural material characterization of the fabricated composite was also performed by scanning electron microscopy and microstructures have also been carried out