International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT)

ISSN: 2249 8958, Volume-3, Issue-2, December 2013

Preparation of Aluminium Matrix Composite by

Using Stir Casting Method
Rajeshkumar Gangaram Bhandare, Parshuram M. Sonawane
.
Abstract The composite material is composed of a discrete
reinforcement & distributed in a continuous phase of matrix, In
Aluminium matrix composite (AMC) one constitutes is
aluminium which forms network i.e. matrix phase and another
constitute serve as reinforcement which is generally ceramic or
non metallic hard material. The basic reason of metals
reinforced with hard ceramic particles or fibers are improved
properties than its original material like strength, stiffness etc.
Stir casting process is mainly used for manufacturing of
particulate reinforced metal matrix composite (PMMC).
Manufacturing of aluminum alloy based casting composite by
stir casting is one of the most economical method of processing
MMC. Properties of these materials depend upon many
processing parameters and selection of matrix and
reinforcements. This paper presents an overview of stir casting
process, process parameter, & preparation of AMC material by
using aluminium as matrix form and SiC, Al 2O3, graphite as
reinforcement by varying proportion.

Fig1.1 Composite Material

These advantages can be used to achieve better properties.
For example, elastic modulus of pure aluminium can be
enhanced from 70GPa to 240GPa by reinforcing with 60 vol.
% continuous aluminum fiber. On the other hand
incorporation of 60 vol% alumina fiber in pure aluminium
leads to decrease in the coefficient of expansion from 24
ppm/C to 7 ppm/C. Similarly it is possible to process
Al-9% Si-20 vol% SiCp composites having wear resistance
equivalent or better than that of grey cast iron [1]. All these
examples illustrate that it is possible to alter several physical
properties of aluminium/aluminium alloy by adding two or
three appropriate reinforcement in suitable volume fraction.
Reinforcing the matrix with whiskers, short fibers or
particulates of ceramics could give a composite improved
properties compared to monolithic base alloy. Further, the
attractive feature is the isotropic nature of the properties.
Even though the property improvements are not as high as
those achievable with continuous fiber ones, they are
sufficiently attractive enough for most of the intended
engineering applications.[2]. The cost of the component
production by solid state processing route was still high and
hence large scale commercialization of wide spectrum of
engineering component did not take place .
The commonly used reinforcement is silicon carbide
particulates (SiCp) in cast alloy matrix (modified
compositions of 356 and 357 Al alloys) and alumina
particulates in wrought alloy matrix (6061/2024). Even
though the possibilities of using different kinds of
reinforcement in Al alloys as reinforcements, except SiCp
and A1203 others have not shown any commercial potential
[2]
Jokhio, Panhwar & Mukhtiar Ali investigate the effect of
elemental metal such as Cu-Zn-Mg in aluminum matrix on
mechanical properties of stir casting of aluminum composite
materials reinforced with alpha "Al2O3" particles using stir

Index Terms Stir casting process, Aluminum Matrix

composite, Reinforcement, Mixing and Agitation.

I. INTRODUCTION
Now days with the modern development need of
developments of advanced engineering materials for various
engineering applications goes on increasing. To meet such
demands metal matrix composite is one of reliable source.
Composite material is one of the reliable solutions for such
requirement. In composites, materials are combined in such a
way as to enable us to make better use of their parent material
while minimizing to some extent the effects of their
deficiencies. The simple term composites gives indication
of the combinations of two or more material in order to
improve the properties. In the past few years, materials
development has shifted from monolithic to composite
materials for adjusting to the global need for reduced weight,
low cost, quality, and high performance in structural
materials. Driving force for the utilization of AMCs in areas
of aerospace and automotive industries include performance,
economic and environmental benefits[1].
In AMC one of the constituent is aluminum, which forms
percolating network and is termed as matrix phase. The other
constituent is embedded in this aluminum and serves as
reinforcement, which is usually non-metallic and commonly
ceramic such as SiC, Al2O3 etc

Manuscript received December, 2013.

Rajeshkumar Gangaram Bhandare, Mechanical (Automotive)
Engineering, Pune University, Sinhgad Academy Of Engineering , Pune,
Maharashtra, India,
Parshuram M. Sonawane, Mechanical Engineering, Pune University,
Sinhgad Academy Of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

61

Preparation of Aluminium Matrix Composite by Using Stir Casting Method

casting they found increase in tensile strength. Also they
found that Mg has pronounced effect on aluminum cast
composites up to 2.77% Mg contents which increases
wetability, reduces porosity and develops very good bonding
with Al2O3 [3].
Preparation and characterization of aluminum metal matrix
composites reinforced with aluminum nitride was carried out
by M. N. Wahab, A. R. Daud and M. J. Ghazali they found
considerable significant increase in hardness of the alloy
matrix [4].
Cast A356/SiCp composites were produced using a
conventional stir casting technique by S. Tzamtzis, N. S.
Barekar, N. Hari Babu, J. Patel, B. K. Dhindaw they found a
good combination of improved Ultimate Tensile
Strength(UTS) and tensile elongation is obtained [5].
Experiments have been conducted by varying weight fraction
of SiC, graphite and alumina (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%,
and 30%), while graphite weight fraction 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%
and 10% keep all other parameters constant by Dunia Abdul
Saheb they found that an increasing of hardness and with
increase in weight percentage of ceramic materials [6]

Method

Stir casting

Squeeze
casting

Range of
shape and size
wide range of
shapes; Larger
size; up to 500
kg
limited by pre
form
shape Up to 2cm
height

Powder
metallurgy

wide range;
restricted size

Spray
casting

Limited shape,
large shape

Range of
vol.
fraction

Damage to
reinforcem
ent

Cost

Up to 0.3

No
damage

Least
expansive

Up to 0.5

severe
damage

Moderate
expansive

reinforcem
ent
fracture

Expansive

0.3-0.7

Expansive

Table-2.1: A comparative analysis of different technique

used for fabrication [4]
C. Stir casting:
In a stir casting process, the reinforcing phases are
distributed into molten matrix by mechanical stirring. Stir
casting of metal matrix composites was initiated in 1968,
when S. Ray introduced alumina particles into an aluminum
melt by stirring molten aluminum alloys containing the
ceramic powders. Mechanical stirring in the furnace is a key
element of this process. The resultant molten alloy, with
ceramic particles, can then be used for die casting,
permanent mold casting, or sand casting. Stir casting is
suitable for manufacturing composites with up to 30%
volume fractions of reinforcement [7].
The cast composites are sometimes further extruded to
reduce porosity, refine the microstructure, and homogenize
the distribution of the reinforcement. A major concern
associated with the stir casting process is the segregation of
reinforcing particles which is caused by the surfacing or
settling of the reinforcement particles during the melting and
casting processes. The final distribution of the particles in the
solid depends on material properties and process parameters
such as the wetting condition of the particles with the melt,
strength of mixing, relative density, and rate of solidification
.The distribution of the particles in the molten matrix
depends on the geometry of the mechanical stirrer, stirring
parameters, placement of the mechanical stirrer in the melt,
melting temperature, and the characteristics of the particles
added [7].
An interesting recent development in stir casting is a
two-step mixing process. In this process, the matrix material
is heated to above its liquids temperature so that the metal is
totally melted. The melt is then cooled down to a temperature
between the liquids and solidus points and kept in a
semi-solid state. At this stage, the preheated particles are
added and mixed. The slurry is again heated to a fully liquid
state and mixed thoroughly. This two-step mixing process
has been used in the fabrication of aluminum.
Among all the well-established metal matrix composite
fabrication methods, stir casting is the most economical. For
that reason, stir casting is currently the most popular
commercial method of producing aluminum based
composites.

II. PROCESSING OF AMC

A key challenge in the processing of composites is to
homogeneously distribute the reinforcement phases to
achieve a defect-free microstructure. Based on the shape, the
reinforcing phases in the composite can be either particles or
fibers. The relatively low material cost and suitability for
automatic processing has made the particulate-reinforced
composite preferable to the fiber-reinforced composite for
automotive
applications.
Primary
processes
for
manufacturing of AMCs at industrial scale can be classified
into two main groups.
A. Liquid state processes:
Liquid state processes include stir casting, compo casting
and squeeze casting spray casting and in situ (reactive)
processing, ultrasonic assisted casting [4].
B. Solid state processes:
Solid state process include Powder blending followed by
consolidation (PM processing), high energy ball milling,
friction Stir Process, diffusion bonding and vapors deposition
techniques. The selection of the processing route depends on
many factors including type and level of reinforcement
loading and the degree of micro structural integrity desired
[4].
Among the variety of manufacturing processes available
for discontinuous metal matrix composites, stir casting is
generally accepted as a particularly promising route,
currently practiced commercially. Its advantages lie in its
simplicity, flexibility and applicability to large quantity
production.
It is also attractive because, in principle, it allows a
conventional metal processing route to be used, and hence
minimizes the final cost of the product. This liquid
metallurgy technique is the most economical of all the
Available routes for metal matrix composite production and
allows very large sized components to be fabricated.

III. OBJECTIVE OF THE PAPER

The main objective of this paper is to study the operating
parameter of the composite as its control the properties of the
composite material. Second objective is manufacture the

62

International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT)

ISSN: 2249 8958, Volume-3, Issue-2, December 2013
particulate aluminum metal matrix composite (PAMC) with
varying compositions of reinforcement particles of graphite,
Al2O3 and SiC by using stir casting method.

Graphite: - Addition of graphite particle results in low

friction of composite as it is good dry lubricant hence reduces
wear and abrasion.

A. Composite Material:For composite material selection of Matrix and

reinforcement are of prime importance. For this research
work we had selected material as follows.

IV. PROCESS PARAMETER

For manufacturing of composite material by stir casting
knowledge of its operating parameter are very essential. As
there is various process parameters if they properly
controlled can lead to the improved characteristic in
composite material.

B. Matrix:Aluminium alloy 2000, 6000 and 7000 series are used for
fabrication of the automotive parts. PAMC under study
consist of matrix material of aluminium alloy Al6061 whose
chemical composition is shown in the Table. An advantage of
using aluminium as matrix material is casting technology is
well established, and most important it is light weight
material. Aluminium alloy is associated with some
disadvantages such as bonding is more challenging than
steel, low strength than steel and price is 200% of that of
steel. But with proper reinforcement and treatment the
strength can be increased to required level.
Table3.1 Chemical composition of Al (6061)
Si
0.4
0.8

Fe
00.7

Cu
0.15
- 0.4

Mn
0.0 0.15

Mg
0.81.2

Cr
0.040.35

Zn
0.0 0.25

Ti
0.0 0.15

A. Stirring speed:-

Stirring speed is the important process parameter as

stirring is necessary to help in promoting wetability i.e.
bonding between matrix & reinforcement. Stirring speed will
directly control the flow pattern of the molten metal. Parallel
flow will not promote good reinforcement mixing with the
matrix. Hence flow pattern should be controlled turbulence
flow. Pattern of flow from inward to outward direction is
best. In our project we kept speed from 300-600 rpm. As
solidifying rate is faster it will increase the percentage of
wetability [8].

Al

B. Stirring temperature:It is an important process parameter. It is related to the

melting temperature of matrix i.e. aluminium. Aluminium
generally melts at 650 C. The processing temperature is
mainly influence the viscosity of Al matrix. The change of
viscosity influences the particle distribution in the matrix.
The viscosity of liquid decreased when increasing processing
temperature with increasing holding time stirring time [8]. It
also accelerates the chemical reaction b/w matrix and
reinforcement. In our project in order to promote good
wetability we had kept operating temperature at 630C which
keeps Al (6061) in semisolid state.

Bal

C. ReinforcementParticles of Al2O3, SiC and graphite of mesh size 320 are

used as reinforcement.
SiC:-Silicon carbide particulates have attained a prime
position among the various PAMC. This is due to the fact
that introduction of Sic to the aluminum matrix substantially
enhances the strength, the modulus, the abrasive wear
resistance and thermal stability. The density of Sic (3.2g/cm)
is nearer to that of aluminum alloy AA6061 (2.7g/cm3). The
resistance of Sic to acids, alkalis or molten salts up to 800
degree Celsius makes it a good reinforcement candidate for
aluminum based MMC. Furthermore, Sic is easily available
and has good wetability with aluminum alloys. Addition of
alumina particle results in good wear properties and
compatibility. Addition of Silicon carbide particle results in
Excellent Mechanical properties this produces a very hard
and strong material.
Alumina: - Addition of alumina particle has shown increase
in tensile strength and it has good compatibility with
aluminium alloy.

C. Reinforcement preheat temperature:Reinforcement was preheated at a specified 500 C

temperature 30 min in order to remove moisture or any other
gases present within reinforcement. The preheating of also
promotes the wetability of reinforcement with matrix [7].
D. Addition of Mg:Addition of Magnesium enhances the wetability. However
increase the content above 1wt. % increases viscosity of
slurry and hence uniform particle distribution will be
difficult [6].
E. Stirring time:Stirring promotes uniform distribution of the particles in
the liquid and to create perfect interface bond b/w
reinforcement and matrix. The stirring time b/w matrix and
reinforcement is considered as important factor in the
processing of composite. For uniform distribution of
reinforcement in matrix in metal flow pattern should from
outward to inward.

Table 3.2 Properties of Matrix and Reinforcement

63

Preparation of Aluminium Matrix Composite by Using Stir Casting Method

Table 4.1Uniform dispersion time for 10% SiC particles for
different stirrer types and stirring speeds in glycerol/water
solution of viscosity 300mPas2

Fig. 5.1 Stir Cast apparatus

This is the layout of the stir casting apparatus. It consist of
conical shaped graphite crucible is used for fabrication of
AMCs, as it withstands high temperature which is much
more than required temperature [680C].Along that graphite
will not react with aluminum at these temperature. This
crucible is placed in muffle which is made up of high ceramic
alumina. Around which heating element of wound. The coil
which acts as heating element is Kanthol-A1. This type of
furnace is known as resistance heating furnace. It can work
up to 900C reach within 45 min. Aluminium, at liquid stage
is very reactive with atmospheric oxygen. Oxide formation
occurs when it comes in contact with the open air. Thus all
the process of stirring is carried out in closed chamber with
nitrogen gas as inert gas in order to avoid oxidation. Closed
chamber is formed with help of steel sheet. This reduces heat
loss and gas transfer as compare open chamber. A K type
Temperature thermocouple whose working range is -200C
to 1250C is used to record the current temperature of the
liquid. Due to corrosion resistance to atmosphere EN 24 is
selected as stirrer shaft material. One end of shaft is
connected to 0.5 hp PMDC motor with flange coupling.
While at the other end blades are welded. 4 blades are
welded to the shaft at 45C. A constant feeding rate of
reinforcement particles is required to avoid coagulation and
segregation of the particles. This can be achieve by using
hopper . Aluminium alloy matrix will be formed in the
crucible by heating aluminium alloy ingots in furnace. A
stirring action is started at slow rate of 30 rpm and increases
slowly in between 300 to 600 rpm with speed controller. A
mixture of reinforcements (Al2O3 + SiC + Graphite) is to be
incorporated in the metal matrix at semisolid level near
640C. Dispersion time is to be taken as 5 minutes. After
that slurry is reheated to a temperature above melting point to
make sure slurry is fully liquid and then it is poured in mould.
Procedure:Stir casting process starts with placing empty crucible in the
muffle. At first heater temperature is set to 500C and then it
is gradually increased up to 900C. High temperature of the
muffle helps to melt aluminium alloy quickly, reduces
oxidation level, enhance the wetability of the reinforcement
particles in the matrix metal. Aluminium alloy Al6061 is

F. Blade Angle:The blade angle and number of blades are prominent

factor which decides the flow pattern of the liquid metal at
the time of stirring. The blade with angle 45 & 60 will give
the uniform distribution. The number of blade should be 4.
Blade should be 20mm above the bottom of the crucible [8].
Blade pattern drastically affect the flow pattern
G. Inert Gas:As aluminium melt it start reacting with environment
oxygen and will produce an oxide layer at the top. This oxide
layer will avoid further oxidation but along that it will
difficult to brake. So such layer will be big trouble for
reinforcement mixture with metal. So in order to avoid this
we had used inert gas like nitrogen.
H. Preheated Temperature of Mould:In casting porosity is the prime defect. In order to avoid
these preheating the permanent mould is good solution. It
will help in removing the entrapped gases from the slurry in
mould It will also enhance the mechanical properties of the
cast AMC. While pouring molten metal keep the pouring rate
constant to avoid bubble formation.
I. Powder Feed Rate:To have a good quality of casting the feed rate of powder
particles must be uniform. If it is non-uniform it promotes
clustering of particles at some places which in turn enhances
the porosity defect and inclusion defect, so the feed rate of
particles must be uniform.
V. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND PROCEDURE:-

64

International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT)

ISSN: 2249 8958, Volume-3, Issue-2, December 2013
used as Matrix material. Required quantity of aluminium
alloy is cut from the raw material which is in the form of
round bar. Aluminium alloy is cleaned to remove dust
particles, weighed and then poured in the crucible for
melting. During melting nitrogen gas is used as inert gas to
create the inert atmosphere around the molten matrix.
Powder of alumina (Al2O3), silicon carbide (SiC) and
graphite are used as reinforcement. 1% by weight of pure
magnesium powder is used as wetting agent. At a time total
700 gram of molten composite was processed in the crucible.
Required quantities of reinforcement powder and
magnesium powder are weighed on the weighing machine.
Then it is thoroughly mixed with each other with the help of
blending machine for 24 hour. This mixture is kept ready 1
day before the test has to carry out. Prior to conducting the
test this mixture is kept for heating in another heater.
Reinforcements are heated for half hour and at temperature
of 500C. When matrix was in the fully molten condition,
Stirring is started after 2 minutes. Stirrer rpm is gradually
increased from 0 to 300 RPM with the help of speed
controller. Temperature of the heater is set to 630C which is
below the melting temperature of the matrix. A uniform
semisolid stage of the molten matrix was achieved by stirring
it at 630C.Pouring of preheated reinforcements at the
semisolid stage of the matrix enhance the wetability of the
reinforcement, reduces the particle settling at the bottom of
the crucible. Reinforcements are poured manually with the
help of conical hopper. The flow rate of reinforcements
measured was 0.5 gram per second. Dispersion time was
taken as 5 minutes. After stirring 5 minutes at semisolid
stage slurry was reheated and hold at a temperature 900C to
make sure slurry was fully liquid. Stirrer RPM was then
gradually lowered to the zero. The stir casting apparatus is
manually kept side and then molten composite slurry is
poured in the metallic mould. Mould is preheated at
temperature 500C before pouring of the molten slurry in the
mould. This makes sure that slurry is in molten condition
throughout the pouring. While pouring the slurry in the
mould the flow of the slurry is kept uniform to avoid trapping
of gas. Then it is quick quenched with the help of air to
reduce the settling time of the particles in the matrix.

VI. CONCLUSION
In present study the aim is study the various operating
parameter of stir casting process. And to prepare AMC with
help of stir casting process. For this Aluminium (6061) is
selected as matrix phase while SiC, Alumina and Graphite
act as reinforcement. With the help of stir casting process we
had successfully manufactured AMC at less cost. While
manufacturing AMC we come to know that process
parameter are platy a major role for uniform distribution of
reinforcement. We had some following conclusion
1) For uniform dispersion of material blade angle should
be 45 or 60 & no of blade should be 4.
2) For good wetability we need to keep operating
temperature at semisolid stage i.e. 630 for Al (6061). At
full liquid condition it is difficult uniform distribution
of the reinforcement in the molten metal.
3) Preheating of mould helps in reducing porosity as well
as increases mechanical properties.
For further study we are going to check its mechanical
properties.
REFERENCES
[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

Fig. 5.2 AMC Specimen

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