The Effect of Silicon Particulate on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Aluminium Based Bearing Material (Al-6%Sn-0.35-1.40%Si)

Abstract

The effect of different percentage of silicon on the ultimate tensile strength, energy absorbed, hardness and microstructure of aluminium bearing alloy was studied. Pure silicon powder was added to the aluminium bearing alloy (Al – 6%Sn) during casting to obtain different percentages of 0.35, 0.70, 1.05 & 1.40 of silicon for each of the composition. Samples were machined from the aluminium bearing alloy of composition (wt %); Al – 6%Sn (Control), Al – 6%Sn – 0.35%Si, Al – 6%Sn – 0.70%Si, Al – 6%Sn – 1.05%Si, Al – 6%Sn – 1.40%Si. From each composition of the aluminium bearing alloy five samples were machined and subjected to tensile test, impact test and hardness test. All the samples of the aluminium bearing alloy were taken and subjected to thorough metallographic samples preparation processes. The results obtained in this investigation shows that the aluminium bearing alloy with 0.35% Si gave a slight improvement in the ultimate tensile strength, energy absorbed and hardness value, the sample with 0.70% Si gave a great improvement in the ultimate tensile strength, energy absorbed and hardness value, 1.05% Si gave a greater improvement in the ultimate tensile strength, energy absorbed and hardness value, while 1.40% Si gave the highest ultimate tensile strength, absorbed and hardness value. In this work particulate method was used to hardening and strengthening the bearing material.