Author : S A Mohan Krishna, T N Shridhar, L Krishnamurthy, K B Vinay and G V Naveen Prakash

Aluminium matrix composites belong to the family of materials whose mechanical, tribological, thermal and electrical properties can be customized effectively. Most of the commercial work on MMCs has been highlighted on Aluminium as the matrix material. The combination of light weight, environmental resistance and beneficial mechanical properties has made Aluminium alloys exceedingly popular; these properties also make Aluminium best suited for use as a matrix metal. The thermophysical properties of these composites can be tailor made and have excellent specific mechanical properties. These composites can be fabricated with ease. Aluminium matrix composites reinforced with the particles of Silicon Carbide possess high yield strength, low coefficient of thermal expansion or thermal expansivity, high modulus of elasticity and excellent wear resistance by maintaining volume proportion up to 20%. Aluminium hybrid composites can be customized to provide moderate Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) and high thermal conductivity that are favorable for the applications pertaining to thermal management equipment. However, it is necessary to evaluate different percentage combinations of reinforcements with matrix Aluminium to check for thermal stability and to measure thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion. It is expected that, Aluminium-Silicon Carbide-Graphite hybrid composites can be used as load bearing material for the above applications. In this paper, a review about the said hybrid composites to investigate thermal properties for engineering applications have been discussed based on its technological relevance, applications and research prospect.

Keywords: Aluminium matrix composites, matrix, thermophysical, expansivity, reinforcements, Graphite and applications

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.8, No.2 (March/April 2018)