Microstructural Analysis of Aluminum MMCs fabricated by Stir Casting

Present industrial revolution is focusing on performance of the composite materials with better performance even at an elevated temperature. The materials are used in many applications like automobile sector, marine, sports, aerospace and medical applications. In order to enhance the performance, the materials will be subjected to various heat treatment processes. Irrespective of the materials, the heat treatment relay on changing the microstructure of the materials which leads to changes in the wear resistance and mechanical properties. Micro Structural analysis has been carried out and following results are observed that the particles are having irregular grain structure with sharp corners. SEM images also indicate that the presence of SiC is being increased; Formation of SiC clusters at some locations is also being identified in few of the SEM images. X- Ray Diffraction analysis of Composite material with 6% SiC powders indicate the peaks related to aluminium and carbon which are present in the processed composite. High and narrow peaks are obtained for the carbon materials and the composite containing 6% SiC has higher peaks compared to others. Similar peaks are also seen in other compositions.