Experimental Investigations on the Mechanical Properties, Microstructure and Corrosion Effect of Cu-20Al-4Ni/SiC Composites Synthesized Using Powder metallurgy Route

The present investigation pertains to synthesize aluminium bronze silicon carbide composite by powder metallurgy route. Three various weight percentages of silicon carbide (0, 2, 4 & 6) were reinforced with aluminium bronze matrix (Cu-20 %Al-4 %Ni). This compact was heated at two different temperatures such as 650 and 750 degrees C using tubular furnace. The effect of silicon carbide on density, sinterability, compression test and hardness test was analyzed. The scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy were used to confirm the presence of alloying elements. The results showed that the sinterability and density were reduced with an increase in silicon carbide content. There was significant improvement in densification of composites sintered at 750 degrees C relative to composites sintered at 650 degrees C. The maximum percentage of increase in density was 7.34 %, which was noticed for 4 % SiC reinforced aluminium bronze sintered at 750 degrees C. Aluminium bronze- 4 % SiC composite (750 degrees C) sintered exhibited maximum hardness of 32HRC. Among the composites sintered at 750 degrees C, 6 % SiC reinforced possesses lowest sinterability of 0.44.The composite reinforced with 6 %SiC exhibited lowest compressive strength among other composites. The 4 wt% SiC reinforced composites sintered at 750 degrees C has highest corrosion resistance.There was significant improvement in densification of composites sintered at 750 degrees C relative to composites sintered at 650 degrees C. The maximum percentage of increase in density was 7.34 %, which was noticed for 4 % SiC reinforced aluminium bronze sintered at 750 degrees C. Aluminium bronze- 4 % SiC composite (750 degrees C) sintered exhibited maximum hardness of 32HRC. Among the composites sintered at 750 degrees C, 6 % SiC reinforced possesses lowest sinterability of 0.44.The composite reinforced with 6 %SiC exhibited lowest compressive strength among other composites. The 4 wt% SiC reinforced composites sintered at 750 degrees C has highest corrosion resistance.