Microstructural characterization and evaluation of mechanical properties of silicon nitride reinforced LM 25 composite
Zeeshan Ahmad, Sabah Khan, Shabahat Hasan
Abstract
This study focuses on the effect of the reinforcement of Si3N4 particles on the microstructure, and mechanical properties of LM25 Al alloy matrix composites fabricated by the stir casting process. The reinforcement content was varied from 4% to 12% in steps of 4%, for a set of three composites. The microstructures and morphology of the developed composites were studied by SEM and EDS. The amount of different elements present in the reinforcement, matrix and the three sets of composites is demonstrated using elemental mapping. The result of this investigation revealed that a uniform distribution of Si3N4 particles takes place at all weight percentages of reinforcement in LM 25 alloy, with limited non-uniformity due to clustering of ceramic particles. The mechanical properties were also evaluated and analysed for the fabricated AMCs. A fracture surface mapping was also carried out for the composites.