Mechanical properties and wear resistance of SiC-reinforced aluminium matrix composite with nickel addition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/jmes.19.4.2025.1.0849Keywords:
Aluminum matrix composite, Nickel, Hardness, Tensile strength, Wear resistanceAbstract
This study aims to analyze the effect of nickel addition on SiC-reinforced aluminum matrix composites in terms of mechanical properties (hardness and tensile strength), wear rate and microstructure produced through the casting process. The aluminum matrix used in this study is Al6061 and Al2024 with a concentration of 15 wt% SiC (silicon carbide) and nickel additions of 1, 3 and 5 wt%. The casting process uses a metal mold, mold temperature of 673.15 K, a stir-casting speed of 350 rpm and a pouring temperature of 923.15 K. The results of this study indicate that the addition of nickel increases hardness, tensile strength and wear resistance. Al2024/SiC with nickel addition exhibits higher hardness and wear resistance than Al6061/SiC under the same nickel addition. The highest hardness value in Al2024/SiC with 5% nickel is 113.78 HV with a wear rate of 0.05 mg/s. However, Al6061/SiC with nickel addition demonstrates better tensile strength and strain, with the highest tensile strength in Al6061/SiC + 5% Ni recorded at 282 MPa. The results of the microstructure examination shows that nickel addition can refine grains, particularly in Al6061, which contributes to the improvement in mechanical properties. SEM/EDS analysis confirms that Ni is evenly distributed and there is no agglomeration in either Al6061 or Al2024.
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