Dynamic characterisation and vibration behaviour of aluminium–silicon carbide composite shaft

The substantial usage of metal matrix composites (MMCs) in rotating machinery is owed to their superior specific stiffness and wear resistance properties. The paper highlights the analysis of the vibration behavior of Al 6061-SiC composite shafts with 50 g and 75 g of SiC. In the study, experiments were conducted in the rotating-shaft test rig powered with an MPU6050 MEMS accelerometer and an Arduino data acquisition system in the range of shaft speeds of 600-1350 RPM while applying vertical loads. Average vibration amplitudes were calculated at 1350 RPM without vertically loaded force being applied, which were 61.95 and 50.57 for 50 grams and 75 grams of SiC reinforced shafts, respectively, which reflects 18.4% decrease due to better reinforcement. However, the shaft with 75 grams had the highest peak of vibration amplitudes recorded. Fundamental natural frequency was estimated through the Euler-Bernoulli beam model, which led to estimates being above the experimental frequency of 22.5 Hz.