Identifying stir casting process parameters to maximize strength of LM13 with TiB2 and ZrC hybrid metal matrix composite

Balakrishnan Siddharthan; Kumaravel Arumugam

doi:10.1515/mt-2023-0193

Article

Identifying stir casting process parameters to maximize strength of LM13 with TiB₂ and ZrC hybrid metal matrix composite

Balakrishnan Siddharthan
Mr. Balakrishnan Siddharthan is currently an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Mechatronics Engineering at Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, Erode. Prior to his appointment, he was an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering, K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology. He received his post graduate degree in Engineering Design and Undergraduate degree in the department of Production Engineering. He has published number of preferred journals and book chapters. His current area of research focuses on the material science especially on the metallic materials.
and Kumaravel Arumugam
Dr. Kumaravel Arumugam is currently a professor in the faculty of Mechanical Engineering, K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Namakkal. He received his Ph.D as well as M.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and completed his undergraduate from Government College of Engineering, Salem. He has published a number of International Journals and acting as reviewer for renowned journals. He has received government fundings as research grants over 1 crore. His area of research includes smart materials, functionally graded materials, and composite materials.

Published/Copyright: November 21, 2023

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From the journal Materials Testing Volume 66 Issue 1

Abstract

In this study, an LM13 metal-matrix composite was fabricated using two reinforcement particles (hard and soft) of titanium diboride and zirconium carbide. An experimental design was used to narrow down the trials. The significance of the model was tested using Student’s t-test and p values. The response surface statistical method was used to obtain the optimum process parameters for the high-strength hybrid metal matrix composite. From the experimental results, a maximum strength of 209 MPa was gained at a stirrer speed of 700 rpm, weight fraction of TiB₂ and ZrC of 9 %, and casting temperature of 675 °C. The ANOVA results showed that TiB₂ was the main influential process parameter, followed by the stirrer speed, casting temperature, and zirconium boride. The microstructure showed a fine and uniform distribution of reinforcement particles in the LM13 matrix. The fracture surface exhibited a mixed fracture pattern, which was due to the good bonding between the reinforcement and matrix at the interface.

Keywords: titanium di boride; zirconium carbide; response surface methodology; ANOVA; design matrix

Corresponding author: Balakrishnan Siddharthan, Department of Mechatronics Engg, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam 638401, India, E-mail: siddhart0105@gmail.com

About the authors

Balakrishnan Siddharthan

Mr. Balakrishnan Siddharthan is currently an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Mechatronics Engineering at Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, Erode. Prior to his appointment, he was an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering, K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology. He received his post graduate degree in Engineering Design and Undergraduate degree in the department of Production Engineering. He has published number of preferred journals and book chapters. His current area of research focuses on the material science especially on the metallic materials.

Kumaravel Arumugam

Dr. Kumaravel Arumugam is currently a professor in the faculty of Mechanical Engineering, K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Namakkal. He received his Ph.D as well as M.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and completed his undergraduate from Government College of Engineering, Salem. He has published a number of International Journals and acting as reviewer for renowned journals. He has received government fundings as research grants over 1 crore. His area of research includes smart materials, functionally graded materials, and composite materials.

Research ethics: Not applicable.
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Research funding: No funding support.
Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.

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Published Online: 2023-11-21

Published in Print: 2024-01-29

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https://doi.org/10.1515/mt-2023-0193

Keywords for this article

titanium di boride; zirconium carbide; response surface methodology; ANOVA; design matrix