Evaluation of characteristics of A390 - SiC_p squeeze cast and gravity cast composites

Use of aluminum components has increased during the last decade due to the light weight requirements. With the intention to improve the strength, retaining the desirable properties of aluminium, particularly its lightness and corrosion resistance, many alloys have been developed. A390 is such an aluminum alloy, which is light weight and having good wear properties. A composite is a multiphase material and having better properties. A390 alloys and silicon carbide particulates were used to fabricate particulate reinforced aluminium metal matrix composites. Squeeze casting is a fabrication technique where solidification of liquid metal is promoted under applied hydrostatic pressure. In this work, A390- Silicon carbide composites of different weight fraction of silicon carbide were fabricated by squeeze casting and gravity casting through stir casting route. Squeeze castings were done at 50 MPa and 100 MPa squeeze pressures. Specimens of the composites were prepared and characterized through microstructural and wear analysis, tensile and hardness tests. The test results obtained for squeeze casting and gravity casting composites were compared and the effect of squeeze pressure was studied.