INT. J. NEW. INN.

, 2012, 1(1), 50-53

ISSN:2277-4459

EFFECTS OF THERMAL CYCLIC LOADING ON CAST ALUMINIUM COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SILICON CARBIDE AND FLY ASH PARTICLES
Sanjeev Kumar, Jonny Garg, Navneet Singla
Mechanical Engineering Department, BGIET, Sangrur

ABSTRACT
During this investigation, dry fly ash as received from GNDTP, Bathinda was used with Aluminium reinforced with SiC and a composite was prepared using Liquid metal stir casting route with the reducing quantity of SiC. During the research, Thermal cycling was carried out on the samples prepared and effects on samples before and after thermal cycling were observed.

1. INTRODUCTION
Metal matrix composites are used mostly in space ships, aerospace, automotive, nuclear, biotechnology, electronic and sporting goods industries, but due to their high cost, experiments are usually done to reduce the cost of the composites and inexpensive materials are utilised for metal matrix composites. Fly ash is one of the most inexpensive and low density reinforcement available in large quantities as solid waste by-product during combustion of coal in thermal power plants. So, composites with fly ash can be used to reduce the cost of the metal matrix for applications in automotive and small engine applications. Flake composites consist of flat reinforcements of matrices. Typical flake materials are glass, mica, aluminium, and silver. Flake composites provide advantages such as high out-of plane flexural modulus, higher strength, and low cost.[1]

and thermal and electrical conductivity of metals can be reduced by the addition of fibres such as silicon carbide.

3. PRODUCTION OF METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES BY STIR CASTING

Liquid state fabrication of Metal Matrix Composites involves incorporation of dispersed phase into a molten matrix metal, followed by its Solidification. In order to provide high level of mechanical properties of the composite, good interfacial bonding (wetting) between the dispersed phase and the liquid matrix should be obtained. The simplest and the most cost effective method of liquid state fabrication is Stir Casting.

4. FLY ASH
Fly ash is one of the residues generated in the combustion of coal. Fly ash is generally captured from the chimneys of coal-fired power plants, and is one of two types of ash that jointly are known as coal ash; the other, bottom ash, is removed from the bottom of coal furnaces.

2. INTRODUCTION OF METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs), as the name implies, have a metal matrix. Examples of matrices in such composites include aluminium, magnesium, and titanium. Typical fibers include silicon and silicon carbide. Metals are mainly reinforced to increase or decrease their properties to suit the needs of design. For example, elastic stiffness and strength of metals can be increased, while large coefficients of thermal expansion 50

5. CALCULATION OF GRAIN FINENESS NUMBER OF DRY FLY ASH

International Journal of New Innovations