International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology
MenuISSN ONLINE(2319-8753)PRINT(2347-6710)
ISSN ONLINE(2319-8753)PRINT(2347-6710)
| Karthik Raj K.V1, Manjunatha B2, M.H. Annaiah3, H R Niranjana Murthy4, Harendra Kumar H.V5 P G student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka, India1, Asst Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka, India2 Professor and P G Coordinator, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Acharya Institute of Technology Bangalore, Karnataka, India3 Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Acharya Institute of Technology,Bangalore, Karnataka, India4, P G student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka, India5 |
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In this study, A2014 alloys were reinforced with varied percentage of Graphite by liquid metallurgy route and tested for microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behaviour. The wear tests were conducted using Pin-on-Disc apparatus at a constant sliding velocity of 1m/s and wear load of 30 N. Microstructure revealed uniform distribution of reinforcement in the matrix resulting in improved mechanical properties and wear resistance compared to un-reinforced material. This improvement in mechanical properties and wear resistance may be attributed to improved bonding of reinforcement in the matrix.
Keywords |
| Composites, MMC’s, Microstructure, Mechanical properties, Wear behaviour. |
INTRODUCTION |
| Aluminium-Silicon alloys possess light weight, high specific strength and good heat transfer ability which make them suitable material to replace components made of ferrous alloys. Al-Si alloys are widely used in all types of IC engines such as cylinder blocks, cylinder heads and Pistons. They find applications in aircraft pump parts, aircraft structure and control parts, automotive transmission, aircraft fittings, water cooled cylinder blocks and nuclear energy installations. Both hypoeutectic and hyper-eutectic alloys can be used as useful engine block materials on account of their adequate resistance and high strength to weight ratio. There are quite large numbers of studies made on the mechanical behaviour of Al-Si alloys. Attempts are made to increase the strength of Al-Si-Mg by various manufacturing processes, heat treatment, reinforcement of hard and soft reinforcements etc. In this paper, an attempt is made to study the effect of reinforcement of Graphite on microstructure, mechanical properties and dry sliding wear behavior of A2014. |
II. MATERIALS |
| A2014 alloys were reinforced with Graphite and were cast using liquid metallurgy route in the form of cylindrical bars of length 300mm and diameter 25mm. |
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| Table I CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF A2014 |
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| Table II DESIGNATION OF ALUMINA REINFORCED ALLOYS |
III. TESTING |
| A: Microstructure |
| The samples for microstructure examination were prepared by following standard metallurgical procedures, etched in etchant prepared using 90 ml water, 4ml of HF, 4ml H2So4 and 2g CrO3 and were examined using Optical Microscope (500X). |
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| Figures 3.1 to 3.5 show the uniform distribution of Graphite reinforcement in A2014 matrix. The chinese script in the microstructure indicates the precipitates of Aluminium with Cu, Si and Mn. |
| B: Hardness Test |
| The hardness tests were conducted as per ASTM E10 norms using Brinell Hardness tester. Tests were performed at randomly selected points on the surface by maintaining sufficient spacing between indentations and distance from the edge of the specimen. |
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| Fig 3.6 shows hardness test specimens having size 20 mm diameter and 15 mm length. Table III shows the hardness values of the A2014 composites and its alloys. Fig 3.7 shows the variation of hardness with the addition of G. The hardness of the alloy increased to highest value 89 (BHN) with 5 wt % there after a decrease in hardness is observed. Gr7 and Gr9 have hardness 88 and 86 which are 17.33% and 14.7% higher than As cast A2014. Addition on 3% Graphite to the alloy did not show any improvement in hardness and in fact a decrease of 18.67% was observed. |
| C: Tension test |
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| Fig.3.8: Tension test specimens |
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| Table IV Table IV gives the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and ductility of A2014 and its composite. |
| Table IV shows plot of UTS and Ductility of A2014 and its composites.A2014 and Gr7 have UTS values 137.74 MPa and 174.96 MPa respectively. This indicates that with 7% addition of Graphite there is 27% increment followed by Gr3 and Gr 9 with UTS values 173.42MPa and 146.56 MPa indicating 25.9% and 6.4% in the UTS values. In case of Elongation, A2014 and Gr3 has 1.76% Elongation indicating 131% a increase in Elongation.Gr5, and Gr9 have 15% higher Elongation compared to as cast 2014. |
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| Fig 3.9 shows the plot of Wear rate versus sliding distance of A2014 and its composites. A2014.0 has Wear rate of 3.15x10-5 gm/m where as Gr5 has 1.4x10-5 showing 55.5% reduction in Wear rate. This reduction in wear rate may be attributed to the formation of MML and increase in hardness achieved due to uniform distribution and bonding of the Graphite in the composite. The steep increase in Wear rate of both A2014 and its Composite may be attributed to the increased temperature at pin Disc interface resulting in softening of the pin materials. |
IV. CONCLUSION |
| Microstructure indicates uniform distribution of Graphite in the matrix resulting in good bonding of the particulates. The composite with Gr5 has highest hardness and Wear resistance compared to as cast material. Gr7 has highest UTS for the composites studied. |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT |
| We thank Dr. H. D. Maheshappa, Principal, Management of Acharya institute of Technology, Bangalore and Dr K.Mahesha, Head Depatment of Mechanical Engineering for motivating and providing research facilities at the institute. |
References |
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