Evaluation of mechanical and fatigue properties of Al- hybrid composite for automotive applications

Aluminium composites are those materials which combine aluminium with other materials to enhance properties like strength, stiffness and resistance to wear. Aluminium hybrid composites are materials that combine aluminium with other reinforcements such as ceramics, fibers to improve the properties making them highly suitable for a range of applications to obtain light weight and high strength materials used in automotive applications such as connecting rods in I.C. Engines. In the present work Al-2024 is considered as Matrix material and fly ash of 15 - 30 microns and SiC of 60-80 microns are considered as reinforcement materials. This study explores the fabrication of Squeeze casting technique and their influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites. In the present investigation an attempt has been carries out on Al-2024 and SiC and fly ash hybrid composites which were manufactured in steps of 3 Wt% fly ash and 3 wt% SiC and 3 Wt% fly ash and 5 wt% SiC for 25mm diameter. Microstructure analysis was carried out using SEM and XRD analysis. The results indicate that 3 Wt% fly ash and 7 wt% SiC enhance tensile strength and yield strength. Also, Stress distribution, displacement and fatigue life of Al 2024 alloy and composite were analyzed utilizing finite element technique based on the tensile strength test results.