Experimental analysis of the thermal properties of fused quartz-reinforced Al-6061alloy matrix composites using RSM approach

This study investigates the thermal property of fused quartz-reinforced aluminum 6061 alloy metal matrix composites for three different chill material conditions. Temperature and reinforcement composition were the independent variables used in experimental analysis. Thermal expansion and conductivity were considered the dependent variables. Central composite experimental design was used in this work. Analysis suggested that temperature, which contributed 55.35 % and 61.60 % variances in thermal expansion and conductivity, is a significant factor, respectively. Novel analytical models, which have a high degree of "goodness of fit" and prediction, are also developed and presented to determine thermal conductivity and expansion.