Development of functionally graded material by fused deposition modelling assisted investment casting

In order to attain sound geometrical details, excellent surface finish and required dimensional accuracy, investment casting (IC) process is one of the best options available commercially in the manufacturing sector. The IC process has got all the attentions for the development of metal matrix composites, as one is getting finished product for tailor made applications. In the present research work an attempt has been made for development of Al/Al2O3 composite as a functionally graded material (FGM) by using an alternative reinforced fused deposition modelling (FDM) pattern in IC process. The study is made with six controllable parameters (12 and 53 levels) to highlight their affect on wear resistance and micro-hardness of composite prepared. The X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to understand wear, micro-hardness of FGM and for establishing the novelty of proposed route.