The influence of SiC particle reinforcement on the thermophysical properties of aluminium-based metal matrix composites
Lucia Lattanzi, Saba Mohammadpour Kasehgari, Samuel A. Awe
Abstract
Abstract This study investigated the influence of silicon carbide (SiC) reinforcement content on the thermophysical properties of aluminium-based metal matrix composites (Al-MMCs). Different Al-MMCs with SiC contents ranging from 0 to 30 mass/% were produced by stir casting to gather relevant data for the material database of brake rotor casting simulations. The thermal diffusivity, coefficient of thermal expansion, and specific heat capacity were measured from room temperature to 500 °C to calculate the thermal conductivity of the composites. The results showed that the amount and distribution of SiC particles significantly influenced the performance of the composites, with the interface between the metal and ceramic playing a crucial role in their thermal behaviour. The experimental data aligned well with the predicted values when considering property variations. This study highlights the potential of Al-MMCs to replace traditional materials in applications requiring thermal management, wear resistance, and durability, such as brake discs in internal combustion engines and electric vehicles. These findings provide valuable data for the material database utilised in thermal management and casting simulations where Al-MMC components are employed, such as automotive brake-rotor-casting simulations, and contribute to sustainable and efficient mobility solution development. Graphical abstract