Empirical Models for Mechanical and Electrical Characteristics of Wrought Aluminium Alloy Reinforced with Silicon Carbide Particles

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are advanced engineering materials used for a wide range of applications. AMCs consist of a non-metallic reinforcement incorporated into Aluminium matrix providing advantageous properties over base metal alloys. Wrought aluminium was reinforced with particulate silicon carbide of four different sizes and compositions using stir casting method. The resultant composites were subjected to mechanical and electrical tests. In this paper, empirical models were developed from measured laboratory data of micro-hardness, modulus, and electrical conductivity. Information obtained from the empirical models could be used as guidelines during the conceptual design and optimisation of manufacturing processes and thus, reducing time and costs. (paper)