Effect of Mg, SiC and Fly Ash Particulates in Aluminium Alloy for Automotive Wheel Rim Applications

Abstract

For the past few decades the wheels of an automobile are usually made out of alloy materials. Due to the increased demand for peculiarity and enhanced outlook, metal matrix composites can be used for the alloy wheels. They enhance the performance of the vehicle by reducing its weight and thereby increasing its fuel efficiency. Many literature works are initiated and progressed on design and development of automotive alloy wheels. There is a scope for enhancing their properties with reinforcements. This study focuses on manufacturing a novel metal matrix composite material comprising aluminium as metal matrix and magnesium, silicon carbide and fly ash as reinforcements. The newly fabricated composition is tested. The alloy wheel is further analysed using ANSYS. The analysis results are compared with that of the existing aluminium alloy. The obtained results confirm that the proposed metal matrix composite is a reliable replacement for the aluminium alloy.