Effect of SiC Powder Addition on Air Jet Erosion of Metal Matrix Composite Al-SiC

• Main Author: Longalayuk, Mardi
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/33540
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

In the aerospace and energy industry, working conditions in high-speed fluid with abrasive particles may result in erosion of the component. Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) Al-SiC was developed to be a solution in improving the lifetime of Aluminum used in such application. In this research, MMC Al-SiC has been made using Al-7075 base material with the addition of SiC powder grid 220 as much as 5, 10 and 15 wt.%. This composite was manufactured using stir casting technique with the addition of 1 wt.% magnesium (Mg). Characterization with optical metallography has been done to know the SiC distribution homogeneity of stir casting results. Air Jet Erosion testing was then performed to test the erosion resistance of the MMC. The impact of precipitation hardening on the Al-7075 matrix towards erosion resistance was also studied. Optical metallographic results show that MMC Al-SiC has been successfully manufactured although SiC particle distribution has not been fully homogeneous yet and porosity was still formed. Water Jet Erosion Test showed that the addition of 5% SiC was optimal in improving the erosion resistance of MMC Al-SiC. Addition of more than 5% SiC did not significantly improve its erosion resistance. Solution treatment and artificial aging for precipitation hardening on Al-7075 matrix proven to decrease its erosion resistance.