Experimental Investigation Of Average Fatigue Life Of LM6 Alloy-Boron Carbide-Graphite Hybrid Composites

Abstract

The main focus of this study is to comprehend the Fatigue properties of LM6 Aluminium Alloy-Boron Carbide-Graphite Hybrid Composites. The base metal, LM6 aluminum alloy, has the qualities of outstanding castability, medium strength, and low weight. While retaining good ductility, the addition of Graphite and Boron carbide improved the composites' tensile strength, hardness, and resistance to wear. For applications like drive shafts, housings, and structural supports, Boron carbide can offer exceptional stiffness and strength while keeping weight down.       

Stir casting method was used to create composites with uniformly distributed Boron Carbide and Graphite particles in the LM6 matrix. Five distinct combinations of Boron Carbide (1, 2, 3, 4,5 Wt%) with a constant weight percentage of Graphite (1 Wt%) were used to create the hybrid metal matrix composites. The fabricated specimens of composites were used to determine the Fatigue properties. From the S-N Curve test results, the average fatigue life of composites increased at all stress levels up to 5% addition of reinforcement.