Mechanical properties of A356 matrix composites reinforced with nano-SiC particles

Metal matrix composites form one group of the new engineered materials in which a strong ceramic reinforcement is incorporated into a metal matrix to improve its properties including specific strength, specific stiffness, wear resistance, excellent corrosion resistance and high elastic modulus. A compocasting method was employed to incorporate SiC nano-particles into the aluminum alloy and fabricate metal matrix nanocomposites with uniform reinforcement distribution. Microstructural characterization of compocast composites show a uniform distribution of nano-particles, grain refinement of aluminum matrix, and presence of the minimal porosity. It was revealed that the presence of nano-SiC reinforcement led to significant improvement in hardness, 0.2% yield strength and UTS while the ductility of the aluminum matrix is retained.