Abstract

The AA6061 is reinforced by adding SiC at various volume fractions and, the mixture is hot compacted at different processing temperatures. The influences of such parameters are investigated on the product relative density along with its relevant Vickers hardness using quantitative and qualitative formulation approach. Empirical relationships are established to relate each of the controlling (independent) parameters (SiC% and hot compaction (HC) temperature), to the composites relative density and the hardness, as dependent variables. The developed models are examined for its adequacy and significance using several statistical criteria. Response surface and contour graphs are established to reflect the relevant function interrelations and, to provide a data base source for the prior design stage.

Within the specified experimental domain, first order and nonlinear models are found independently adequate and significant to grasp the functional dependence between the relative density and both SiC and HC temperature. However, second order multiple model with quadratic components of SiC percent is found to best suit the hardness-SiC%-temperature functional relationship.

Increasing SiC content is found to reduce the relative density of the composites regardless the hot compaction temperature while, up to about 18 vol.% SiCp relative ratio, it enormously and nonlinearly increases the composite hardness. Further increase in SiC% addition seems not to affect the composite hardness. Relative density of the resulting composite is decreased by increasing HC temperature.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.