This report presents an overview on the effects of different reinforcements in the magnesium and its alloy, so as to improve their mechanical and metallurgical properties. The morphology of microstructure and its effect on the physical properties of the magnesium is also discussed here.
Magnesium matrix composites are potential materials for various applications of aerospace and defense organizations due to their low density, good mechanical and physical properties. The improvement of specific strength, stiffness, damping behavior, wear behavior, creep and fatigue properties are significantly influenced by the addition of reinforcing elements into the metallic matrix compared to the conventional engineering materials.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Need to Fabricate Magnesium Metal Composites
1.2 Scope of Investigation
2. LITERATURE SURVEY
3. BACKGROUND OF THE WORK
3.1 Magnesium Alloys
3.2 Why should we select Magnesium ?
3.3 Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)
3.4 Magnesium Composites
3.5 Stir Casting
3.6 Dispersion Strengthened Composites
4. OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
5. EXPERIMENTAL WORK
5.1 Horizontal Metal Cutting Bandsaw
5.2 Digital Weighing Machine
5.3 Stir Casting Equipment used in this Research work
5.3.1 Squeeze casting setup
5.3.2 Temperature controller with Data Acquisition System
5.4 Lathe machine
6. FUNDAMENTALS OF SQUEEZE CASTING
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Types of Squeeze casting
6.3 Characteristics
6.4 Advantages
6.5 Disadvantages
7. METHODOLOGY
8. MATERIALS USED IN THIS INVESTIGATION
9. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE OF COMPOSITE FABRICATION
10. PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS FOR TESTS
10.1 Composition of Specimens Manufactured
10.2 Metallurgical and Mechanical Tests
10.3 Machining of the Specimens for Tests
10.3.1 Machining for Tensile Test
10.3.2 Machining for XRD and SEM Test
10.4 Preparation of Specimens for Metallurgical Test
11. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
11.1 Tensile Test
11.2) Micro Vickers Hardness Test
11.3) Microstructure
11.4) X- Ray Diffraction Test
11.5) SEM Micrograph
12. CONCLUSION
Project Objective & Core Themes
The primary objective of this research is to fabricate a new series of magnesium metal matrix composites (MMCs) using varying proportions of aluminum (7%, 12%, and 14%) and reinforcing materials (B4C, TiC, and CNT) through a combined stir casting and squeeze casting process to improve the material's mechanical and metallurgical properties.
- Fabrication of advanced magnesium-based composites.
- Evaluation of the stir casting and squeeze casting manufacturing techniques.
- Optimization of mechanical properties like tensile strength and hardness.
- Microstructural analysis using SEM and XRD.
- Assessment of reinforcement effects on material performance.
Excerpt from the Book
3.5 Stir Casting
Stir casting is used widely to fabricate Al and Mg based composites. This technique causes the molten mixture inside the induction furnace to rotate at high speeds, causing the reinforcement particles to mix thoroughly throughout the mixture. It promotes dispersion strengthening.
Metals and metal alloys may be strengthened and hardened by the uniform dispersion of several volume percent of fine particles of a very hard and inert material. The dispersed phase may be metallic or nonmetallic oxide materials are often used .Again, the strengthening mechanism involves interactions between the particles and dislocations within the matrix, as with precipitation hardening. The dispersion strengthening effect is not as pronounced as with precipitation hardening; however, the strengthening is retained at elevated temperatures and for extended time periods because the dispersed particles are chosen to be non reactive with the matrix phase. For precipitation-hardened alloys, the increase in strength may disappear upon heat treatment as a consequence of precipitate growth or dissolution of the precipitate phase.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Outlines the necessity for lightweight, high-strength materials in mechanical engineering and the specific scope of fabricating magnesium-based composites.
LITERATURE SURVEY: Reviews existing research and papers concerning the effects of reinforcements and casting techniques on magnesium and aluminum alloys.
BACKGROUND OF THE WORK: Defines basic metallurgical concepts, including metals, alloys, and the specific advantages of magnesium as a base material for composites.
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT: States the main goal of fabricating new magnesium composite series with aluminum concentrations of 7%, 12%, and 14% using stir and squeeze casting.
EXPERIMENTAL WORK: Details the equipment used for fabrication, including the bandsaw, digital weighing machine, stir casting apparatus, and the lathe machine.
FUNDAMENTALS OF SQUEEZE CASTING: Explains the principles, types, characteristics, and advantages of the squeeze casting process for producing sound alloys.
METHODOLOGY: Describes the systematic steps taken from material selection and cost estimation to the final specimen testing and data tabulation.
MATERIALS USED IN THIS INVESTIGATION: Lists and characterizes the materials used, including magnesium, aluminum, zinc, boron carbide, titanium carbide, and carbon nanotubes.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE OF COMPOSITE FABRICATION: Provides the step-by-step procedure for preparing the molten mixture, adding reinforcements, and casting the final composites.
PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS FOR TESTS: Covers the specific composition of each manufactured specimen and the methods used to machine them for metallurgical and mechanical tests.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: Presents the findings from tensile testing, hardness measurements, microstructural analysis, and XRD/SEM imaging, correlating these with the reinforcement distributions.
CONCLUSION: Summarizes the key findings, confirming that SRM AL12Z1 demonstrated superior hardness and tensile strength, validating the efficacy of the stir casting process.
Keywords
Magnesium Metal Matrix Composites, Stir Casting, Squeeze Casting, Aluminum Alloys, Reinforcements, Boron Carbide, Titanium Carbide, Carbon Nanotubes, Mechanical Properties, Tensile Strength, Microstructure, Scanning Electron Microscope, X-Ray Diffraction, Hardness, Material Fabrication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the fabrication and characterization of novel magnesium-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) with specific aluminum and nanoparticle reinforcements to enhance mechanical properties.
What are the primary reinforcement materials used in the study?
The study utilizes Boron Carbide (B4C), Titanium Carbide (TiC), and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) as reinforcing agents in the magnesium matrix.
What is the main research objective?
The aim is to develop magnesium composites with varying aluminum percentages (7%, 12%, and 14%) and to analyze their structural and mechanical behavior using advanced casting techniques.
Which casting methods were employed?
The study uses a combination of stir casting to ensure uniform mixing of reinforcements and squeeze casting to achieve high-density, sound alloy structures.
What does the main body cover?
It provides an overview of material science backgrounds, detailed experimental fabrication procedures, specific preparation of test specimens, and an analysis of performance results through various tests.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include magnesium matrix composites, stir casting, squeeze casting, nanoparticle reinforcements, and mechanical characterization.
Why were different percentages of aluminum used in the specimens?
The variations in aluminum content (7%, 12%, and 14%) were used to investigate the influence of composition on the ultimate tensile strength and hardness of the final composite.
Which specimen showed the best hardness results?
The experimental results indicated that specimen SRM AL12Z1 displayed the highest hardness values compared to the other two specimens.
What role does the SEM analysis play in the findings?
SEM analysis allows for the visualization of the reinforcement distribution and grain boundaries, which helps in verifying the homogeneity of the casting and understanding the fracture behavior.
Did the squeeze casting process prove effective?
Yes, the conclusion states that stir casting combined with squeeze casting is a viable method for achieving an even distribution of reinforcements, leading to improved mechanical properties compared to the parent material.
- Quote paper
- Akshansh Mishra (Author), Anish Das Gupta (Author), 2017, Processing of Magnesium Metal Composites Through Stir Casting, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/376163
