Effect of Silicon Carbide/Tungsten Carbide on Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Aluminum 6061 Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

Aluminum hybrid composites are driving a new trend in metal matrix composites for high strength-to-weight ratio applications such as the automotive industry (piston–cylinder, brakes, shafts), aircraft (engines, airframe), aerospace (space panels), and marine (body frame). Al 6061 is chosen as the matrix for its compatibility and excellent castability in the current work. The reinforcements were silicon carbide (SiC) of size 65μ and tungsten carbide (WC) of 3–5μ due to their enhancing mechanical and corrosion behavior with low density. Composites were prepared through stir casting using different quantities of SiC wt.% 10 and 15, while WC is 0–6% by weight in 2% increments. The results show that mechanical properties such as tensile strength and hardness enhanced due to the gradual strengthening of grains leads to high wear resistance. SEM images of tensile failure show that pits, voids, cracks, burrs, and grain fractures characterize composite failure. Corrosion tests show that the 15% SiC/6% WC composite has higher corrosion resistance than the 10% SiC composite. The corroded surface morphology indicates that the pit size of Al 6061/SiC 15%/WC 0–6% composites decreases with increasing WC weight %.