Effect and Influence of Adding Graphite with Aluminium – Silicon Carbide Hybrid Composites to Examine Thermal Behaviour & Validation by Employing Computational Contour Approach

Abstract

In this research paper, the mechanical and thermal behavior of Al 6061, Silicon Carbide, and Graphite hybrid metal matrix composites from room temperature to 300°C have been investigated. Aluminum-based composites reinforced with Silicon Carbide and Graphite particles have been prepared by stir casting technique. It has been a venture to examine the effect and influence of adding Graphite with Aluminium hybrid composites for investigating thermal behavior. The thermal expansion, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity properties of hybrid composites with different percentage compositions of reinforcements have been investigated. The results have indicated that the thermal expansivity and thermal conductivity of the different compositions of hybrid MMCs decrease by the addition of Graphite with Silicon Carbide and Al 6061. A few established empirical models have been validated for the evaluation of thermal expansivity and thermal conductivity of hybrid composites. Using the experimental values viz., modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, and thermal expansivity, a computational investigation has been carried out to evaluate the thermal parameters namely thermal displacement, thermal strain, and thermal stress. Similarly, using the experimental values namely density, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, and enthalpy at varying temperature ranges, a computational investigation has been carried out to evaluate thermal gradient and thermal flux.