Assessment of the Metallurgical and Mechanical Properties of Stir cum Squeeze Cast A356 with 5wt. % SiC and <italic>x</italic> wt. % Flyash Hybrid Composites

The forged connecting rod and pin experience a large amount of stresses due to cyclic load for a long period of time induced by the reciprocating movement of the piston. The proposed work focused to produce lightweight composites with high strength using waste flyash and simple manufacturing process. In this context, the proposed experimental work was formulated to develop aluminium alloy hybrid metal matrix composite of A356 alloy with silicon carbide and flyash processed through stir cum squeeze casting process under optimal parametric condition. The samples were subjected to varying flyash content of 0, 5, 10wt.% and SiC of 5wt.% kept constant. Responses like metallography, hardness, impact strength, flexural strength, fatigue strength were observed for the manufactured hybrid composites. There was a significant improvement in the properties with a higher weight percentage addition of 10wt.% flyash and 5wt.% SiC with A356 hybrid composites. As the waste flyash and hard ceramic particles act as a barrier for dislocation movement and resist plastic deformation followed by cyclic strength was improved. The micro pour free densification during squeezing also added for the above property. The coupled effect of both the reinforcement’s addition and squeezing of the liquid metal shows enormous results than the other combinations and similar researcher's findings. So, the developed hybrid composites and their processing route are recommended for the automotive industries to fabricate connecting rod in the future.