Title: Development of stir-cast Al-SiC composite for wear resistant applications

Authors: M.S. Kadam; V.D. Shinde

Addresses: Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416004, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, DKTE's Textile & Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji, India

Abstract: This study explores the development of Al-SiC composite using stir casting route for wear-resistant applications, particularly in brake drums, disc brakes and cylinder components. The inclusion of 1-micron sized silicon carbide particles in the molten LM6 aluminium alloy matrix was varied (1%, 1.5%, 2%) by adjusting the stirring speed and duration. Analysis of variance was employed to assess the contribution of each process parameter to the performance characteristics. The effects of these variations on composite's mechanical and tribological properties were investigated. Microstructural analysis helped to understand the dispersion of SiC particles in the LM6 matrix and composite's chemical composition. The optimal process parameters for stir casting LM6-SiC MMC, identified using Taguchi's OA and GRA method, are 2% SiC weight, 300 RPM stirring speed, and 6 minutes stirring time. The overall improvement of 15%-17% in tensile strength, 35%-40% in microhardness and 70%-75% in wear rate is observed with optimal process parameters.

Keywords: Al-SiC composite; wear resistance; stir casting; mechanical properties.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2026.155530

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2026 Vol.17 No.3, pp.223 - 236

Received: 07 Nov 2024
Accepted: 21 Mar 2025
Published online: 04 Aug 2026 *

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