Effect of SiC Particles on Mechanical Properties of

Aluminium ADC12 Composite Through Stir Casting

Process
Josiah1, a), Anne Zulfia1, b)
1
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
a)
Corresponding author: josiah@ui.ac.id
b)
Another author: anne@metal.ui.ac.id

Abstract. A study of ADC 12 (Al-Si aluminium alloy) composite is conducted as the more sustainable option of
material in the automotive industry due to its durability, good elastic modulus, thermal stability, wear resistance, and
high strength properties. This research is performed to identify and recognize the effect from the addition of SiC
reinforce on the metal composite with aluminium act as the matrix. In this study, the composite will be fabricated
through a stir casting process where stirring is performed mechanically with a stirrer 4 times, 10 seconds each time
with 2 seconds interval between them. Then, 1, 3, 5, 7 to 10%Vf SiC was added to each of the composite, the
addition of 5%, 0,04%wt strontium, and 0,15%wt TiB were believed to enhance wettability, modify the silicon
eutectic phase, and acts as the grain refiner respectively. The result obtained in this research showed an increase in
hardness ADC12 composite with higher SiC content. Hereby, it is believed that strengthening and weakening factors
from the reinforcing particle and metal matrix could neutralize the effect of each other until the optimum point and
thus, the composite containing 3% (volume fraction) SiC exhibits the maximum toughness, with tensile strength and
hardness value of 236 MPa and 46 HRB respectively.

INTRODUCTION

Metal matrix composite is considered as one of the most reliable material, especially for the automotive
industry due to the metal matrix's basic properties which were modified by the reinforce [1]. Among all
materials, aluminium is one of the most widely used matrices for composite due to its low density, ductility, and
thermal conductivity[2]. However, the reinforce for aluminium matrix composite should be able to complement
wear resistivity and other certain properties qualifications[3]. Aluminum ADC 12 was chosen as a matrix
because of its lightweight, ductility, low thermal resistance, and corrosion resistance. SiC as reinforcement has a
high melting point, hardness, and good wear resistance. Aluminium ADC12 with SiC reinforcement have
increased physical and mechanical properties such as good wear resistance, low thermal coefficient, corrosion
resistance, resistance to creep at high temperatures, and better fatigue resistance[4]. Reinforce is not the only
contributing factor in enhancing composite. The addition of wetting agents such as magnesium and silicone is
also important to strengthen the interface between and matrix and reinforce[5]. Good interface bonding means
good wettability is shown by the surface energy of reinforcement is bigger than the matrix. The surface energy
between reinforcement and matrix can be determined by using Young Equation :

γSA – γLS = γLA.cosθ (1)

However, the presence of alumina oxide layer can make wettability between reinforcement particles and
aluminium matrix decrease. One way to increase the wettability is by using other elements as enhancing the
wettability value such as magnesium and increase the hardness of a material by forming the Mg 2Si phase [6].
Fabrication process used in the present study is stir casting method. The process was chosen because it’s
relatively economical and the process is not complicated [7]. The stir casting manufacturing of the composite
tends to form dendritic microstructure which results in lowering some mechanical properties[8]. Titanium boron
in the form of Al-5Ti-1B was added to suppress dendritic grain growth and producing finer and equiaxed grain.
The existence of boron from Al-5Ti-1B also acts as an intermetallic stabilizer by the forming of the boride
layer[9]. Strontium modifier (Al-15Sr) were also added to transform the coarse eutectic silicone into a more
fibrous and dispersed form[10].
In this work, various SiC reinforcement volume fraction: 1%vF; 3%vF; 5%vF; 7%vF; and 10%vF were
added to examine the effects of different SiC Reinforce content to the composite’s properties.

EXPERIMENTAL

Composite Fabrication

Initially, research was performed with the fabricated of composite sample and then the sample would be
conducted several tests to determine the mechanical and physical properties of the composite by using stir
casting method. ADC12 were heated in 800oC until molten state was obtained. Prior to molten pouring, SiC
were also heated in 950oC for 1 hour as pre-treatment. After pre-treatment, SiC was added to the ADC12 melt,
followed by stirring. Addition of Mg ingot, TiB, and Sr was conducted right after that, followed by another
stirring. Argon degassing was conducted for 2 minutes before pouring to the casting die. Casting die was also
prepared before pouring by applying zirconia coating and pre-heating the die in 350 oC for 2-3 minutes to
minimalize thermal shock.

Composite Testing

All fabricated composite was prepared as sample specimens for mechanical testing (tensile strength,
hardness, wear rate) and microstructural analysis. Microstructure analysis was conducted using optical
microscope (OM), after samples were grinded, polished, and etched using hydrofluoric acid (HF) with 0.5%
concentration for 8-10 seconds.
The conducted mechanical tests were: tensile testing using UTM GOTECH AL-7000 LA 10 machine with
ASTM E8 standard; Rockwell B hardness testing with ASTM E18 standard; Charpy impact testing with ASTM
E23 standard; and wear rate testing using OGOSHI model machine with ASTM G99 standard. The density of
each sample was also measured using Archimedes Theory. All mechanical tests were conducted on room
temperature.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Microstructural Analysis of TiB and Sr Modified ADC12/SiC Composite

The microstructure of the composite mainly contains α-Al, Al2Cu, and Mg2Si intermetallic. Generally, the
SiC reinforcement composition was increased, but some of the amounts did not reach the number targeted. This
phenomenon can be caused by the fading mechanism that happens because of the long period of holding time in
the casting process and lack of stirring.
TABLE 1. Al ADC12 alloy composition determined by OES
SiC vt%
Element
1 3 5 7 10
Al 70,8 71 68,9 66,7 64,62
Si 11,4 12,1 12,7 15,22 17,132
Fe 0,8 0,76 1,55 1,2 1,92
Cu 2,55 2,45 2,92 2,34 2,94
Mg 5,27 6,4 5,19 5,4 5,72
Ni 0,09 0,16 0,06 0,2 0,13
Zn 0,82 0,04 0,84 0,28 0,76
Ti 0,068 0,07 0,084 0,08 0,078
B 0,0052 0,0043 0,0068 0,0049 0,005

The phase identification of the ADC 12 and the composites are compiled in Fig. 1 and predicted by the
solidification path on the ternary phase diagram [11]. The lightest colour is known as base metal (-Al) and
what pictured by the slightly grey colour known as Al2Cu which has a porous morphology and can be formed
with the reaction:

L  Al + Si + Al2Cu (2)

The addition of Mg as wetting agent forms MgAl 2O4 known as Spinel phase as seen in Fig.2. MgAl 2O4 can
increase the bond of the interphase. The black Chinese script microstructure can also be seen on the Fig.1
known as binary Mg2Si, whereas the blocky microstructure known as primary Mg 2Si that also can be formed by
the addition of magnesium as wetting agent trough reaction[12]:

L Al + Si + Mg2Si (3)

All of the phase identified in optical microscope observation confirmed in XRD patterns shown in Fig. 2.

FIGURE 1. Phase identification in composite microstructure using an optical microscope with 1000 magnification.

FIGURE 1. XRD patterns of ADC 12/SiC Composite

EDX testing performed at 6 different points as shown in Fig. 3. shows the value of wt% from the elements
contained in the Al ADC12 / SiC composite from EDX testing results at each point. The results of analysis by
EDX at spot 1 indicate a low Mg content with Al dominant. At spot 1, indicating the absence of the spinel
phase, but only the content of the matrix. While on spot 2, contains Mg, along with Al and has a needle-like
shape. Accordingly, at this point identified their Binary Mg2Si phase. Also, similar element content can be seen
at spot 3 but has a different shape, it is likely that this spot identified as Primary Mg 2Si
 FIGURE 3. SEM imaging (left) and EDS result (right)

Mechanical Properties Analysis of TiB and Sr Modified ADC12/SiC Composite

Tensile Strength Elongation

Ultimate Tensile Strength

250 8%
200 6%
Elongation
150
4%
100
50 2%
0 0%
1% 3% 5% 7% 10% 1% 3% 5% 7% 10%
%vf Reinforce SiC %vf Reinforce SiC

FIGURE 4. Ultimate tensile strength (left) and elongation (right) of composite

Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of composite with the variation of SiC reinforce contents are shown in Fig.
4. Composite with 3%vt reinforcement achieves the highest ultimate tensile strength value compared with the
others. The highest UTS value showed the optimum content of reinforcement added to the composite. As
reinforce increase, ductility and hardness of composite decrease and increase respectively. With this, it can be
concluded that the strengthening and weakening factors of the matrix and reinforcement can neutralize each
other up to the 3%vt composition which is the optimum point for obtaining maximum tensile strength, and
afterwards, the addition of SiC reinforce particles will reduce the tensile strength of the composite.
This is in accordance with a research by Mazahery et. al. which states the addition of the SiC volume
fraction will increase the yield strength and UTS to the SiC amplifier composition by 3.5 vt%. [13].

Hardness Wear Rate

60 0.01
50 0.01
Wear Rate (mm3/mm)
Hardness (HRB)

40
0.01
30
0
20
10 0
0 0
1% 3% 5% 7% 10% 1% 3% 5% 7% 10%
%vf Penguat SiC %vf Penguat SiC

FIGURE 5. Hardness (left) and Wear Rate (right) of composite

From Fig. 5, it can be seen that the hardness of the ADC12 matrix is at a value of 35 HRB. The addition of
SiC amplifier will cause an increase in material hardness up to 56.3 HRB on the composition of the 10 vt% SiC
reinforce. In his research, M. H. Al Rashed et al [14] also obtained similar results, wherewith each addition of
the SiC reinforce, there would be an increase in composite hardness. This is due to the increase SiC that is
added, the more interfaces that are formed between the matrix and the SiC reinforce causing when
loading/indenting, SiC particles will block dislocation movements resulting in the need for more force to deform
the composite.
From Fig. 5 above, can be seen that the wear rate at each addition of the reinforcing composition tends to
decrease. This is caused along with the addition of SiC reinforce contents, more interfaces will be formed
between the ADC 12 matrix and the SiC reinforce. This formed interface will increase the hardness of the
material because this interface will hold the rate of dislocation so that the material will be more difficult to
deform. Research conducted by M. H. Al Rashed et al also obtained similar results in wear testing with a
variation of the amplifier volume fraction of 5%, 10%, and 20%, wherewith the addition of SiC reinforce, the
wear resistance obtained will increase. [14].

CONCLUSION
The phases formed on the ADC 12 / SiC composite with the addition of the modifier Sr and Grain Refiner
TiB are the α-Al phase, primary Mg2Si, binary eutectic Mg2Si, β phase (Al5FeSi) and Al2Cu. The addition of
SiC particles can improve the mechanical properties of the composite material with the mechanism of load
transfer effect and orowan looping. SiC reinforcing particles will increase the hardness of the composite and will
be balanced with the ductile nature of the matrix to an optimum condition. The optimal composition is found in
the composite material with the addition of SiC reinforcement particles at 3% vf because it has a high tensile test
value and optimum hardness and ductility ratio resulting a tougher material is obtained. The addition of the Sr
element which acts as a modifier can improve mechanical properties by modifying the dendritic growth of the α-
Al phase in Al-Si alloys and the Mg 2Si phase. Then, the addition of TiB grain refiner will initiate α-Aluminum
nucleation on the composite material and cause even distribution of SiC reinforcing particles. With the addition
of Mg to the composite also produces MgAl 2O4 compound or often called a spinnel, this compound can increase
the ability of the reinforcement with the matrix so that the impact on increasing mechanical properties.
To further improvement on mechanical properties of composite, T6 heat treatment studies can be applied to
the composite. The T6 heat treatment triggers not only grain and phase transformation but also material structure
homogenization, which also results in enhanced mechanical properties such as higher elongation percentage
with higher tensile strength.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors would like to thank Directorate of Research and Community Services (DRPM), Universitas
Indonesia for financial support through International Publications Index (PIT 9), 2019 with contract number:
NKB-0042/UN2.R3.1/HKP.05.00/2019

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