Physical and Mechanical Characterisation of Al7075/SiC Functionally Graded Materials Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy Route

In the present research, a stepwise Al7075/SiC functionally graded materials (FGMs) are produced successfully through the powder metallurgy route with various graded layers and different weight percentages of silicon carbide(SiC). Investigated the effect of varying SiC weight percentages and the number of layers on the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of functionally graded materials. The microstructural examination of a two-layered functionally graded material with layer-1(90%Al+10%SiC) and layer-2 (85%Al+15%SiC) exhibited the even dispersion of silicon carbide particles in the aluminium matrix and strong interfacial bonding between the layers. The change in each functionally graded layer's hardness values confirms the successful fabrication of functionally graded materials using powder metallurgy. The results show that the formation of interfacial bonding between the layers and micro-cracks in the layers plays a significant role in enhancing the mechanical properties of functionally graded materials.