Effect of particles size on the mechanical properties of SiC-reinforced aluminium 8011 composites

The effects of the SiC particle size on the mechanical properties of aluminium 8011-SiC composites are reported.Three different particle sizes of SiC (63, 76, 89) μm with two different mass fractions of 2 % and 4 % reinforced with aluminium 8011 were processed using the stir-casting method.The mechanical properties, like hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, ductility, and toughness, of the composites and the unreinforced alloy were tested.It was observed that the hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, ductility, and toughness increase with a decrease in the particle size of the SiC.The increase in weight fraction of the SiC improves all the mechanical properties, except for the ductility and toughness of the composites.The results reveal that the fine 63 μm (220 mesh) SiC particles introduced superior mechanical properties compared to the intermediate 76 μm (180 mesh) SiC particles and the coarse 89 μm (150 mesh) SiC.