Non-Conventional Machining: For Al/SiC Metal Matrix Composite

Aluminum alloy based metal matrix composites MMC) are gaining importance in several aerospace and automobile applications. Aluminum has been used as matrix material owing to its excellent mechanical properties coupled with good formability. Addition of SiC as reinforcement in aluminium system improves mechanical properties of the composite. In the present investigation, Al-SiC composite was prepared by powder metallurgy route. Powder metallurgy homogeneously distributes the reinforcement in the matrix with no interfacial chemical reaction and high localized residual porosity. SiC particles containing different weight fractions (10 and 15 wt %) and mesh size (300 and 400) is used as reinforcement .Though AlSiC possess superior mechanical properties, the high abrasiveness of the SiC particles hinders its machining process and thus by limiting its effective use in wide areas. Rapid tool wear with poor performance even with advanced expensive tools categories it as a difficult-to-cut material. Nonconventional processes such as electrical discharge machining (EDM) could be one of the best suited method to machine such composites.

National Institute of Technology,Rourkela-769008,Department of Mechanical Engineering,Odisha,INDIA