Effect of heat treatment on hardness, tensile strength and microstructure of hot and cold forged Al6061 metal matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide particles. (20th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Venkatesh, R; Srinivas, S
• Is Part Of: Materials research express. Volume 6:Number 10(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-09-20
• Subjects: Al6061 -- SiC particles -- hot forging -- cold forging -- T6 treatment -- fractography; Materials science -- Research -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/ab4297
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1591

Abstract

Abstract: In the present study, effect of heat treatment on mechanical properties and microstructure of hot and cold forged Al-metal matrix composites were analyzed. Al6061 containing SiC particulates of size <63 microns with 10% volume fraction was fabricated using simple stir casting method. T-6 heat treatment was carried out on both hot and cold forged Al-MMC's under solutionizing temperature of 550 °C for about 45 min followed by water quenching. Further, quenched specimens were subjected to artificial aging at 180 °C for 8 h followed by air cooling. Microstructure of heat treated specimens was examined using optical microscope. Mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength were determined and influence of heat treatment on mechanical properties was also analyzed. Fractography was analyzed using scanning electron microscope images. Higher hardness 115 BHN was observed for Al6061/10% SiC cold forged MMC and highest Tensile strength 357 MPa was observed for Al6061/10% SiC hot forged MMC. Microstructural features reveals nearly uniform distribution of SiC particulates with a very few cluster spots. Overall better mechanical and microstructural properties were observed for hot forged-heat treated Al-MMC's.