Effect of volume fraction and particle size of reinforcement on thermal analysis and heat transfer parameters of gravity die cast hypereutectic Al-22% SI alloy matrix composites

Abstract

The properties of cast metal matrix composites are largely dependent on the solidification behaviour which is dictated by the thermophysical properties of the melt, mould and the interfacial heat transfer from the metal to the mould. In the present investigation the thermal analysis parameters and heat transfer aspects of hypereutectic aluminium alloy matrix composites were studied. As the vol% of SiC p increases the total solidification time decreases and the cooling rate increases. The morphology of the primary silicon was very much dependent on the presence of SiC p. The estimated peak heat flux for the composites are lower than matrix alloy melts solidified under similar conditions. The particle size has a negligible influence on the cooling behaviour. However, composite with finer particle size shows slightly higher peak heat flux.