Investigations on mechanical properties of A356 nano composites reinforced with high energy ball milled SiC nanoparticles with ultrasonic assisted cavitation (with a comparison of micro composite)

Abstract

Mechanical properties of A356 nano and micro composites are compared in this work. These are fabricated by reinforcing nano and micro silicon carbide (SiC) particles of sizes 34 nm and 125 µm respectively. The nanoparticles are produced by high energy ball milling for reinforcement and micro particles are procured from Silcarb industries, Bangalore, India. Synthesis techniques chosen for nano and micro composite fabrication are ultrasonic cavitation assisted dispersion and stir casting. Nanocomposites reinforced with 0.1 to 0.5 wt% are compared with 0.5 wt% micro particle reinforced composite. It is observed that tensile properties and hardness values are improved for nanocomposites compared to micro composite.