Effect of T6 on mechanical properties of TiB and Sr modified ADC12/SiC composite produced by stir casting

A study of ADC12 (Al-Si aluminium alloy) composite is conducted to obtain a more sustainable material with enhanced properties for automotive industry purpose, such as train's brake shoe and bearing application. For those kind of utilization, material with durability, good elastic modulus, thermal stability, wear resistance, and high strength properties is needed due to its exposure to high temperature and heavy continuous application. ADC 12 acts as the matrix, reinforced with 3 vf% micro-SiC with 5 wt% Mg wetting agent was fabricated by the stir casting method. The addition of 0.18 wt% Sr and 0.15 wt% TiB were expected to finer the grain morphology of the silicone eutectic phase and to acts as the grain refiner, respectively. Furthermore, T6 heat treatment was applied with aging temperature 150 °C, 170 °C, 190 °C, 210 °C, and 230 °C, following the prior 1 h 490 °C solution treatment. The results obtained in this work showed enhancement in tensile strength with the value of 213 MPa, hardness value 75 HRB, and wear resistance. These values increase up to 115 MPa for the UTS and 38 HRB for the hardness value, as the impact of the refined grains from both modifiers and heat treatment.