Fabrication of a cam using metal matrix composites

This work reports on studies on Al-SiC as a possible alternative material for a cam. Powder metal composite cams when mounted on hollow shafts provide a high strength to weight ratio. The coefficient of thermal expansion is also low. A mixture of four different compositions (10, 20, 25, 30 wt%) of SiC powder were prepared and mixed with Al powders. Cams were fabricated using cold isostatic compaction and subsequent sintering. A die was also fabricated to cast the cams. The various properties of fabricated composite cams, namely, compressive strength, hardness, density, and surface roughness were measured, and their variation with reinforcement content was studied.