Characterization of Al-Si Functionally Graded Material Using Centrifuge Casting Method

Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) are the emerging materials in which material properties vary continuously with position, in one direction. The present study is to fabricate a Functionally Graded Al/Si in situ material and to characterize it. Al /17wt.%Si alloy has been used to fabricate Al/Si FGM by centrifuge casting process specially designed for the purpose. The microstructural characteristic and hardness profile of these FGMs have been evaluated. The study shows the structure of this Al/Si alloy produced by this method changes from Hyper-Eutectic through to Hypoeutectic, with later having primary Al dendrites. It also reveals that hardness and the primary Si particles vary along the length of the sample