Effect of Temperature on Thermal Characterization of Al 6061 Matrix Composites Reinforced with Fine Silicon Nitride Particles

Abstract In the current study, stirred casting has been used to process Al6061 reinforced with Si3N4 small particles in a variety of configurations. Tests using energy dispersive spectrometers have confirmed that Al6061 and Si3N4 are the main components of the treated compounds. Si3N4 composition has been added to Al6061 at different weight concentrations of 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12%. A study using optical microscopy has been conducted to determine the composite material configuration. We have tried to investigate the microstructures and thermal behaviour of composites reinforced with Si3N4 at varying weight fractions in this work. After Si3N4 was added to Al6061, the microstructure, thermal conductivity increased by 23.33%, and the coefficient of thermal expansion decreased by 20.73%. The thermal characteristics of Al6061 reinforced with Si3N4 fine particles were superior to those of Al6061 without Si3N4 reinforcement.