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Edeh, J. C.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. Nigeria. P.M.B 7267, Nigeria
Alozie, S. N.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. Nigeria. P.M.B 7267, Nigeria
Udeh, S. O.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. Nigeria. P.M.B 7267, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Effective
braking is a critical factor in determining the performance of any vehicle.
Brake caliper being the heart of a braking system in the automobile industries
is built considering its strength to weight ratio, wear resistance, stiffness,
hardness, density and coefficient of thermal expansion so as to reduce fuel
consumption. In this study, Saffil,
an alloy of aluminum and silicon was investigated due to inherent improved
mechanical and metallurgical properties for replacement of heavier cast iron
counterpart. Three (3) samples of the Aluminum based alloys (Saffil)
containing 2%, 3% and 5% of Silicon by weight together with control sample of
pure aluminum were produced using green
casting method and their mechanical and metallurgical properties were
investigated. Results revealed that sample D (5%Si) showed better
properties in its mechanical and metallurgical properties with least elongation
of 4.9% whereas yield strength of 29.MPa, Engineering fracture stress of 7.5
MPa, Hardness of 36.5 HBR recorded improvement with increase in weight
percentage of silicon. Its micrograph showed more evenly distributed silicon
particles for increased hardness. Comparative analysis of sample D (5%Si) showed improved properties with
67% weight reduction, acceptable strength of 71.3Mpa and good thermal
conductivity for brake caliper application compared to cast iron and therefore
can be used to replace it.
Keywords: Saffil, Brake caliper, Properties, Microstructure, Aluminum alloy, Cast iron
https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v5i2_4
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View: 267 | Download: 14
Published
Thursday, February 06, 2020
Issue
Vol. 5 No. 2, DEC. 2019
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
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