Tuyển tập các báo cáo nghiên cứu khoa học trên tạp chí khoa học vật lý quốc tế đề tài: FABRICATION OF LOW COST OF ALUMINIUM MATRIX COMPOSITE REINFORCED WITH SILICA SAND | Journal of Physical Science Vol. 18 1 47-55 2007 47 FABRICATION OF LOW COST OF ALUMINIUM MATRIX COMPOSITE REINFORCED WITH SILICA SAND H. Zuhailawati P. Samayamutthirian and . Mohd Haizu School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineering Campus 14300 Nibong Tebal Pulau Pinang Malaysia Corresponding author zuhaila@ Abstract The fabrication and testing of aluminium-silica particulate composites Al-SiO2 have been prepared by using powder metallurgy method. Two grades of silica particulates were used . silica sand and commercial silica. Silica content in the composite was 0 10 20 30 and 40 vol. . Mixing of Al-SiO2 was performed using planetary mill for 2 hours with ball to powder weight ratio of 10 1. Powder compaction was conducted at 200 MPa pressure and sintering was performed under flowing argon gas for 5 hours at 60CPC. Results showed that Vickers hardness and modulus of rupture ofAl-SiO2 composite increased with the increasing of silica content phase up to 30 vol. and finally drop when 40 vol. of silica was incorporated. Aluminium matrix composites reinforced with silica sand showed that the mechanical properties were slightly better than composites reinforced with commercial silica which is beneficial in reducing the material cost. Keywords alumunium silica composites silica sand particulates powder metallurgy 1. INTRODUCTION Aluminium is the most popular matrix for the metal matrix composites. Aluminium is quite attractive due to its low density their capability to be strengthened by precipitation good corrosion resistance high thermal and high electrical conductivity and damping capacity. The addition of hard and stiff ceramic phase has been established to improve the modulus behaviour and strength properties in the metallic 2 For instances reinforcing aluminium metal with silica particulate yields a material that displays combination of physical and mechanical properties of both the metal .
