The influence of silicon carbide on A356 aluminum alloy composites: mechanical properties, thermal performance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), corrosion resistance, and microstructural analysis

Abstract

This research evaluated how silicon carbide (SiC) additions affect the mechanical properties alongside thermal performance and corrosion resistance of A356 aluminium alloy matrix composite materials. The research analyzes the changes in tensile strength, yield strength elastic, modulus thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance initiated by different SiC levels. The tensile strength of the materials increased by 5.88% between 255 MPa to 270 MPa as SiC content rose from 10 to 40% while the yield strength showed a 5.88% increase from 153 MPa to 162 MPa during this change. The thermal expansion coefficient diminished by 32.55% which better stabilized dimensional characteristics. The material exhibited enhanced corrosion resistance through a decreased corrosion rate to 92%. The corrosion behaviour of the material was evaluated through the open-circuit potential (OCP) and potentiodynamic polarization testing methods and the microstructural analysis included AFM and FTIR spectroscopic methods. The obtained results demonstrate that A356-SiC composites offer strong potential use in aerospace fields as well as automotive and biomedical systems.

Article highlights

Increased SiC content inside the A356 matrix enhances the tensile/yield strength but reduces thermal conductivity.

Having SiC added to an alloy helps to strengthen its corrosion resistance layer.

AFM study observed higher surface roughness due to more SiC content and weaker mechanical properties.