Effect of Treatment Process on Hardness of Al7Si-Mg-Zn Matrix Composite Reinforced with Silicon Carbide Particulate

Abstract

Aluminium matrix composite with silicon carbide reinforcement has been developed to increase the hardness of the composite. The determining factors in the development of this material are alloy element content, rolling process and heat treatment. In this research, Al-7Si alloy with Zn and Mg element content variation was made as the matrix to strengthen the aluminium. The reinforcement is silicon carbide (SiC) in the form of particle with volume fraction of 520%. Rolling process and heat treatment were conducted to further increase the hardness. Material characterisation is conducted with chemical composition testing, microstructure observation, and hardness testing. Research showed that after rolling process with 10% reduction, the hardness of composite is increased. The improvement of hardness on precipitation heat treated composite after rolling process tend to decline compare to non-rolled composite.