M. Ravikumar et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 62 (2022) 439-447; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.62.

30

Impact of nano sized SiC and Gr on mechanical properties of

aerospace grade Al7075 composites

M. Ravikumar
Department of Mechanical Engineering, B M S Evening College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
[email protected]

Rudra Naik
Department of Mechanical Engineering, B M S College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
[email protected]

ABSTRACT. Aluminum composites exhibit high resistance to wear and

corrosion, possess high strength, offer durability and more such properties. In
this study, Al7075, reinforced with nano size SiC - Gr was produced by a stir Citation: Ravikumar, M, Naik, R., Impact of
casting technique and its microstructure and mechanical behavior were nano sized SiC and Gr on mechanical
properties of aerospace grade Al7075
evaluated. Reinforcements were added in the range of 0 - 3 wt. %. The composites, 62 (2022) 439-447.
microstructure study, tensile and compression strength of the developed
Received: 16.05.2022
hybrid Metal Matrix Composites have been analyzed and examined. From the Accepted: 29.08.2022
investigational study, it was found that the reinforcements are evenly Online first: 05.09.2022
Published: 01.10.2022
dispersed in the base material. The porosity and density of the developed
composites were found to be enhanced. The mechanical properties such as Copyright: © 2022 This is an open access
article under the terms of the CC-BY 4.0,
ultimate tensile and compressive strength of the developed MMCs could be which permits unrestricted use, distribution,
improved by addition of SiC particulates compared to base material. Further, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original author and source are credited.
the strength of developed hybrid composites was found to be decreased by
adding of solid lubricant such as graphite (Gr) particulates along with hard
ceramic particulates. Finally, fractured surface of the tensile test specimens
were analysed using a SEM analysis.

KEYWORDS. Al7075; SiC; Gr; Stircasting; Microstructure; Tensile strength;

Compression strength; SEM analysis.

INTRODUCTION

C omposites have been the subjects of a competitive and stimulating field for research from past 2-3 decades.
Nowadays, instead of other engineering materials, Al is extensively used in various industries like aerospace,
automobile and defence, due to its lower density, better resistance to wear and corrosion, high strength with
better thermal conductivity and better machinability. As technology progresses, requirement for a stronger, harder,
inexpensive and lightweight materials in the industries [1-3]. Among the different types of Al alloys, Al6061 alloy
possesses better corrosion resistance and exhibits the excellent strength and also finds a lot of material applications in the
areas such as commercial, automotive, and structural applications. Presently, less weight materials such as Al alloys are

439
M. Ravikumar et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 62 (2022) 439-447; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.62.30

chosen as better material for marine industries and as well as aerospace due to better thermal and physical characteristics.
MMCs from Al alloys have attracted lot of attention due to higher strength and high wear resistance. Particulates
reinforced MMCs consist of uniform dispersal of strengthening hard ceramic particles embedded within a base matrix [4].
In general, these materials show better strength and good stiffness and low density, when it is compared to the matrix.
The addition of hard particulates in Al MMCs can enhance the tensile strength and resistance to wear in soft Al matrix.
The enhancement in mechanical characteristics is generally influenced by uniform dispersal of reinforcements and the
interfacial bonding between the reinforced particulates and matrix. Generally, hard ceramic particulates such as SiC,
Al2O3, B4C, TiC and marble dust are used as reinforcement for several engineering applications. It is found that most of
the researcher/s has studied the wear characteristics of hard ceramic reinforced Al composites. But yet the mechanical and
wear behavior of Al is not adequate for the practical applications. Further, this type of Al composites exhibits enhanced
mechanical properties with low-coefficient of thermal expansions. The soft particulates (Gr) impart better machinability to
the base material. This provides for a wide usage of composites in automotive, aeronautical and also in thermal
management applications [5-10]. The manufacture of Al matrix composites is undertaken through squeeze casting,
stircasting and powder metallurgy methods. The most often used production method is the stircasting route. When
considering the stircasting method, the parameters like speed of the stirrer, geometry of stirrer and stirring time are
considered. The stirring must be accurate vigorous so as to ensure a uniform mixing of the reinforcements with in the
matrix which in turn to increases their material properties. Suitable selection of parameters is essential to attain the end
properties failing which will be resulting in reduction of material properties. From literature survey it was observed that
when improper parameters were chosen and there was a decreased in the resulting materials properties. The stircasting
method is cost effective and least expensive. In this method, the hard particles are added at the melting point of the
matrix. The development of MMCs is very less expensive with particulates reinforcement in comparison with fiber
reinforcement [11-14]. Dipankar Dey et al [15] evaluated the mechanical strength of Al 2024/SiC hybrid MMC’s produced
by stircasting technique. From the outcomes it was observed that the mechanical properties of hybrid composites were
enhanced when compared with the base alloy. Ali M [16] conducted the experiments trials on mechanical characteristics
of nano sized SiC reinforced MMCs. It was observed that the mechanical strength of the composites increased with the
increase in SiC content, whereas ductility of composites decreased. Song M [17] studied the mechanical behavior of
SiC/Al MMCs. It was found that the strength of material showed an increase with increasing wt. % of SiC content.
Alaneme [18] investigated the mechanical characteristics of Al reinforced with hard ceramic particulates. The outcomes
shown that the material properties improved and fracture was reduced by increase of wt. % of ceramic particulates
content. Murlidhar Patel et al. [19] in their study, made efforts to develop an Al composite reinforced with SiC by using
liquid stircasting technique. It was observed that, composites mechanical behavior improved by the adding of SiC. It is
also observed that, by adding of SiC particles leds to reduction in ductility. Hashim Sh. Hammood [20] evaluated
mechanical strength of MMCs reinforced with Gr. From the outcomes it was observed that the hardness and compression
strength were increased upto 4% of Gr and further it is decreased significantly due to the addition of Gr content from 4%
- 8% by weight. The reduction of strength may be caused by various mechanisms like the crack propagation and particle
pull-out, which are instigated by the existence of solid lubricant particulates content. Lokesh K S [21] evaluated the
hardness of MMCs reinforced with SiC-Gr. The hardness improved by increase in wt. % of reinforcement content. The
increase in the strength of hybrid MMCs may be due to the existence of hard ceramic particulates. However, previous
researcher/s have carried out material characteristics such as mechanical, wear behavior and machinability of Al metal
matrix composites with SiC or Gr content as reinforcing materials. Whereas, in the case of research on Al7075 reinforced
with SiC-Gr hybrid composites, inadequate literature survey is available. So effort was made to study the tensile,
compression strength and fractography of Al7075 / SiC-Gr reinforced hybrid composites.

MATERIAL AND FABRICATION OF THE COMPOSITES

Reinforcements and instruments

S tircasting method is presently the simple and effective technique available for the fabrication of hybrid MMCs [22-
24]. So, stircasting method has been successfully used for the production of hybrid composites. In the present
research work, Al7075 was used as base matrix material and two different reinforcements such as SiC and Gr of wt.
% of 1, 2 and 3 with particulates size of 75 µm mesh were used for the development of hybrid MMCs. Electric furnace
was used to melt the matrix material at 800ºC. When the molten melt was ready, preheated reinforcements were added in
to the melt on the required content. The stirring process was carried out continuously with speed of 100 rpm for the
duration of 2 min were used during the development of MMCs. Continuous stirring process was maintained to achieve

440
 M. Ravikumar et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 62 (2022) 439-447; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.62.30

uniform distribution of reinforcements within the matrix. Latter the ready molten metal was poured in to pre-heated
metallic die. After solidification, castings were removed from the die. The test samples were pre-machined by using CNC
machining. Tensile test samples were prepared as per the ASTM E8 standards. Compression test sample were prepared as
per the E9 standards [4, 6 & 11]. These test samples were subjected to study the micro-structure and mechanical strength.
The test samples of hybrid composites are shown in the Fig. 1.

Figure 1: (a) Tensile specimen (b) Compression specimen

Figure 2: Optical Micrograph of (a) Pure Al alloy in as-cast condition (b) Al 7075 reinforced with 3% SiC – 1% Gr with uniform
dispersal.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Microstructure analysis

T he microstructure depicted in Fig. 2(a) base alloy. The Fig. 2(b) shows the optical micrograph of Al 7075
reinforced with nano sized 3% SiC - 1% Gr with uniform dispersal. The reinforced particles in the MMCs are
evidently resolute near the grain boundaries. It is found that, the particles are free from clustering and
agglomeration due to the stircasting method adopted to fabricate the hybrid composites. Fig. 2(b) indicates the
microstructure of the 3% SiC – 1% Gr indicates the grain refinement of the hybrid composites. It is due to the SiC - Gr
particles free from the oxide surface which exhibits improved interfacial properties in developed hybrid composites. It can
be revealed that, the grain refining in Al-7075 alloys requires the inclusion of hard ceramic particles. Consequently,
developed hybrid composite production may be identified to the grain refinement process of the Al alloy caused by the
addition of SiC and Gr particulates. The dispersal of hard particles in Al matrix is a vital requirement for enhancement of
the mechanical strength of the hybrid composites [25-27]. The microscopic study shows that the grain around hard
reinforcements is much finer when compared to the grains around reinforcements free matrix alloy. So, hard particulates

441
M. Ravikumar et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 62 (2022) 439-447; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.62.30

can induce the recrystallization of the Al alloy by accelerating particles nucleation among the matrix and reinforcement
phase. Similar outcomes have been found by other researchers [28, 29] and they concluded that, aluminium grain solidifies
near by the reinforced particulates which are execution the nucleation center generally which compromises the resistance
to the grain growth.

Density and porosity

Density of the samples was measured to know the level of porosity, which affect the reliability of the casting technique.
The influence of reinforcements on the hybrid composite material density is given in the Eqn. (1). The density of
composite samples calculated with Archimedes’ principle (water displacement method).

m
ρ exp = (kg/mm3) (1)
V

where:
m = mass (kg)
V = volume of the test samples (mm3).
Porosity can be calculated by differentiating the density values of theoretical ( ρ th) and experimental ( ρ exp) by Eqn. (2).
Porosity level in the developed composites normally appears, due to the entrapment of air while casting. Porosity can
affect the mechanical and other properties of the composite material, which cannot be removed entirely, but can be
reduced by controlling the casting process.

ρth  ρexp
Porosity (%) = ( ) * 100 (2)
ρth

C1 (Base Alloy), C2 (1% SiC + 1% Gr), C3 (2% SiC + 1% Gr),

C4 (3% SiC + 1% Gr), C5 (1% SiC + 2% Gr), C6 (1% SiC + 3% Gr)
2.92
2.6
Density (g/cm3)
2.88 % of Porosity
2.4

2.84 2.2
Density (g/cm3)

% of Porosity

2.80 2.0

1.8
2.76
1.6
2.72
1.4

2.68 1.2
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6

Composition
Figure 3: Effect on Density and porosity.

Fig. 3 shows the density and porosity of SiC and Gr reinforced hybrid Al composites. The outcome indicates good
interface between the matrix and the reinforcements. As SiC was added to the Al mixture, it increased the sintered density.
Though, density is not proportional to quantity of SiC since addition of SiC caused development of pores. Density is a
measure of assessing a composites compactness and porosity. Further, density of the developed MMCs was enhanced due
to the existence of Gr particulates. In developed composites, further due to adding of Gr content, it was observed that
there was an increase in density when compared to matrix alloy. The enhancement of density is generally due to the
existence of the denser particulates in the composites. The porosity of the developed composites was studied. The
presence of porosity in the developed hybrid MMCs was because of formation of gasses with in the molten melt. It was

442
 M. Ravikumar et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 62 (2022) 439-447; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.62.30

observed that, there was absorbing of air bubbles in the molten melt and also some amount of bubbles due to the
diffusion of the gas at the time of the stirring. High porosity was found at higher wt. % of reinforcement composites. This
investigation results are in line with other researchers [30, 31] who developed Al MMCs reinforced with hard ceramic
particles and Gr content by a stircasting method and it was observed that the porosity and density increased by increasing
wt. % of Gr particulates.

C1 (Base Alloy), C2 (1% SiC + 1% Gr), C3 (2% SiC + 1% Gr),

C4 (3% SiC + 1% Gr), C5 (1% SiC + 2% Gr), C6 (1% SiC + 3% Gr)
180

170
Tensile Strength (MPa)

160

150

140

130

120

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6
Composition
Figure 4: Tensile strength test results of monolithic and hybrid composites.

Tensile strength
Fig. 4 depicts that the tensile strength of the hybrid composites enhanced with increasing in the wt. % of SiC content. The
observed results are in conformity with observations in most hard ceramic particulate reinforced MMCs [32]. The
strengthening mechanisms were reported by other researcher [33] who attributed it to increased load sustaining capacity of
the developed composite by increasing the wt. % of the ceramic particulates and the enhanced resistance to dislocation of
movement by the particles. The strength of the developed MMCs increased because of the resistance of the dislocations
and hence the MMCs strength was enhanced by increasing the content of ceramic particles. The nature of hard
particulates caused an improvement in material strength. Ceramic particulates compare with the dislocations which led to
enhancement in the ultimate tensile strength. Similar results were witnessed by various other investigators [34, 35]. The
ultimate tensile strength improved with an increase in the SiC content which is generally ascribed to less degree of
porosity and also uniform distribution of reinforced hard ceramic particles. This observation is the witnessed in the results
of most ceramic particles reinforced hybrid composites. The solidification of the MMCs was higher due to the amount of
reinforcement’s present in matrix. Usually, this is due to the complexity involved because of addition hard particles which
hinders the dislocation movements over the base matrix [36]. Further, it is seen that the decrease in tensile strength may
be caused due to several mechanisms like crack propagation and the particle pull-out which are instigated by the existence
of lubricant particulates. Because of Gr particles, high porosity & interfacial de-bonding of hybrid composites may result
in the reduction of ultimate tensile strength. Similar results were observed by other researcher/s [37, 38] who stated that,
decrease in the strength of developed MMCs may be because of porosity and presence of higher wt. % of Gr in the
developed MMCs. Also, increase in wt. % Gr and reduce in wt. % of SiC particulates leads to reduction of tensile strength
of developed hybrid composites. It is due to the increase of Gr reinforcement leads to adverse effect on the tensile
strength of the hybrid composites. However, Gr is one of the lubricating agent materials and it helps to improve
machinability characteristics of composites.
The tensile test of MMCs sample results indicated the deformations with different wt. % of ceramic reinforcement’s
shows the different behavior of failures. The MMCs with 3 % of SiC and 1 % of Gr shows the highest % of elongation
and tensile strength when compared to the base alloy and all also other developed MMCs. After tensile tests, surface
fracture tests were performed to characterize the fracture behavior as well as the relationship of the interface among the
reinforcement and the matrix. SEM images of fractured surface were captured at uniform magnifications for both non-

443
M. Ravikumar et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 62 (2022) 439-447; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.62.30

reinforced matrix and hybrid MMCs. This study enables analysis of the microstructural effects on tensile properties of
developed hybrid composites. In case of hybrid MMC, it is always a brittle when compared to the base alloys. Subsequent
growth of voids causes dimple rupture is related with in the fracture progression. Since ceramic particles are introduced as
a reinforcing material the fracture process changes markedly. This micro-mechanism is because of change in particulates
fracture and cracking along with the interface from the formation of shear crash and voids in base matrix. Fig. 5 depicts
the SEM analysis of fractured samples of matrix and hybrid MMCs. Extreme ductility is desired in the fabrication of
MMCs caused by micro pores on the surfaces of fractured materials. More number of dimples formations was seen on the
fractured surface non-reinforced base material, which results in higher ductile strength when compared to hybrid
composites. The fractographic study shows that increase in the wt. % of the SiC & Gr content changed the kind of failure
from ductile to brittle. Generally, this could be clearly observed from the deformed region and dimples present within the
fractured area. Due to increased hard reinforcement content, it is found that more number of micro cracks have
occurred signifying decreased ductility. Generally, the topology of the fractured surfaces appears with more number of
cracks and voids. The formation of voids is caused by the presence of hard particulates with soft matrix initiating the
triaxial state of stress in the vicinity of a particulates. It specifies good bonding the reinforcements and matrix. Usually,
the grain size and shape of reinforcements determine the bonding ability. Generally, dimple size indicates the directly
proportional relationship with the composite strength. The fractured surface of tensile specimens indicates the
combination of hard particulates at the interface. The combination of hard particles fracture and pullout was stated to be a
fracture mechanism. The existence of hard ceramic particles on the fracture surface and as well as in micro voids also
enhance the mechanical properties by improving the bonding of the matrix and decreased in the ductility. The voids at the
interfaces between the particulates and matrix increased the crack propagations from their center [39-41].

Figure 5: SEM images of fractured surface of tensile test samples (a) as-cast condition (b) Al7075 with 3% SiC - 1% Gr.

Compressive strength
It was found that, the compressive strength enhanced by increasing the wt. % of reinforcement. However, the presence of
SiC content contributes to improved compressive strength as compared to base alloy (Fig. 6). Compression tests of the
developed hybrid composites were done as per ASTM-E8 standards. It is concluded that the strength improved owing to
the interface among the matrix and the reinforcement. The presence of stiffer reinforcement particulates in the base
matrix acts like an obstacle which resists the plastic flow and motion-of-dislocations with in the base alloy. Compressive
strength of developed hybrid MMCs is higher compared to monolithic owing to the homogenous distribution of
reinforcing particles in Al alloy. The compressive strength of developed hybrid MMCs reduced when Gr (solid lubricant)
content was increased. Researcher [6, 21] has confirmed that the solid lubricant effectively affects compression stability,
though the negative results impact the robustness. The observed reduction in compressive strength may be due to the
various mechanisms such as particulates pull-out and crack propagations, which are initiated by the existence of Gr
content.

444
 M. Ravikumar et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 62 (2022) 439-447; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.62.30

C1 (Base Alloy), C2 (1% SiC + 1% Gr), C3 (2% SiC + 1% Gr),

C4 (3% SiC + 1% Gr), C5 (1% SiC + 2% Gr), C6 (1% SiC + 3% Gr)
320

300

Compression Strength (MPa)

280

260

240

220

200
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6

Composition
Figure 6: Compressive strength results of monolithic and hybrid composites

CONCLUSIONS

T

he main outcomes are shown below:


The hybrid composite were successfully developed through stircasting process.
Uniform dispersal of reinforcements was consistently observed from micro-structure study.
The addition of SiC and Gr particulates helps to grain refinements of developed hybrid composites.
 Mechanical properties of hybrid MMCs increased with addition of SiC content. But on further increase in wt. % of
Gr particulates decrease in mechanical strength was observed. It is confirmed that by increase in the dislocation of
density, the strength of the composites can be improved.
 The reduction of ultimate tensile strength observed while increasing in Gr particles is due to high porosity &
interfacial de-bonding of hybrid composites.
 Fracture mechanism shown in SEM pictures indicates higher size of dimples in base alloy. Dimples size decreased by
adding of SiC-Gr particulates. Reduced dimple size is due to the grain refinement.

REFERENCES

[1] Gurupreet, S. and Sanjeev, G. (2016). Dry sliding wear behaviour of AA6082-T6/SiC/B4C hybrid metal matrix
composites using response surface methodology. J Materials: Design and Applications, pp. 1-3.
[2] Vaidehi, C. and Boyina, D. (2020). Dry sliding wear behaviour of aluminium 7075/SiC/MoS2 composites at room
temperature. Journal of Engineering, Computing and Architecture, 10(1), pp. 108-120.
[3] Shabani., M. O., Baghani, A., Khorram, A., and Heydari, F. (2020). Evaluation of Fracture Mechanisms in Al-Si
Metal Matrix Nanocomposites Produced by Three Methods of Gravity Sand Casting, Squeeze Casting and Compo
Casting in Semi-Solid State. Silicon, 12, pp. 2977-2987.
[4] Rao, G, B., Bannaravuri, P. K., Raja, R., Apparao, K. Ch., Rao, S., Rao, T. S., Birru, A. K., Prince, M. R. (2021).
Impact on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-4.5Cu alloy by the addition of MoS2. International
Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture, 4, pp. 281-289.
[5] Daghfas, O., Znaidi, A., Ben Mohamed, A., and Nasri, R., (2017). Experimental and numerical study on mechanical
properties of aluminum alloy under uniaxial tensile test, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 39, pp. 263-273.
[6] Omid, Y., Hamid, R. B., Ali, R. A. and Ermia, A. (2018). Development of the properties of Al/SiC nano-composite
fabricated by stir cast method by means of coating SiC particles with Al. Silicon, DOI: 10.1007/s12633-018-9867-3.

445
M. Ravikumar et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 62 (2022) 439-447; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.62.30

[7] Subramanya, R. P., Kesavan, R. and Vijaya, R. B. (2017). Investigation of mechanical properties of aluminium 6061-
silicon carbide, boron carbide metal matrix composite. Silicon, DOI: 10.1007/s12633-016-9479-8.
[8] Manu, S., Sandeep, R., Arshad, N. S. and Sachin, M. (2018). Investigation on the effects of silicon carbide and
cooling medium during multi-pass FSP of Al-Mg/ SiC surface composites. Silicon,
DOI: 10.1007/s12633-018-0037-4.
[9] Prabhu Swamy, N. R., Ramesh. C. S. and Chandrashekar, T. (2010). Effect of heat treatment on strength and
abrasive wear behaviour of Al6061-SiCp composites. Bull. Mater. Sci., 33(1), pp. 49-54.
[10] Kulkarni, G. R., Manjunath, R. M., Lakshmikanthan, P. G. C., Harsha, A., Tophakhane, H. M., Shaikh, S., Kongi, N.
and Iranavar, P. (2022). Synthesis and Characterization of Fe2O3 nanoparticles reinforced to recycled industrial
aluminium scrap & waste aluminium beverage cans for preparing metal matrix nanocomposites, Frattura ed
Integrità Strutturale, 60, pp. 229-242.
[11] Sanjay, S. and Ajay, P. (2014). Effect of heat treatment on mechanical behavior and structural response of Al-Si
composite. International Journal of Advanced Mechanical Engineering, 4(7), pp. 767-782.
[12] Karthik, P. G., and Prabaharan, T. (2020). Mechanical and tribological characterization of stir cast AA6061 T6 - SiC
composite. Silicon, DOI: 10.1007/s12633-020-00781-y.
[13] Poovazhagan, L., Kalaichelvan, K., Rajadurai, A. and Senthilvelan, V. (2013). Characterization of hybrid silicon
carbide and boron carbide nanoparticles-reinforced aluminum alloy composites. International Conference on Design
and Manufacturing, IConDM 2013, 64, pp. 681-689.
[14] Doddamani, S. and Kaleemulla, M. (2017). Experimental investigation on fracture toughness of
Al6061–graphite by using Circumferential Notched Tensile Specimens, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale,
39, pp. 274-281.
[15] Dey, D., Bhowmik, A. and Biswas, A. (2022). Effect of SiC Content on Mechanical and Tribological Properties of
Al2024-SiC Composites. Silicon, 14, pp. 1-11, DOI: 10.1007/s12633-020-00757-y
[16] Ali, M., and Mohsen, O. S. (2012). Characterization of cast A356 alloy reinforced with nano SiC composites. Trans.
Nonferrous Met. Soc. China, 12, pp. 275-280.
[17] Song, M. (2009). Effects of volume fraction of SiC particles on mechanical properties of SiC/Al composites. Trans.
Nonferrous Met. Soc. China, 19, pp. 1400-1404.
[18] Alaneme, K. K. and Bodunrin, M. (2013). Mechanical behaviour of alumina reinforced AA 6063 metal matrix
composites developed by two step-stir casting process. Bulletin of Engineering, 6(3), pp. 105-110.
[19] Patel, M., Pardhi, B., Pal, M., and Singh, M. K. (2019). SiC Particulate Reinforced Aluminium Metal Matrix
Composite. Advanced Journal of Graduate Research, 5(1), pp. 8-15.
[20] Hashim, S. H., Amjed, S. M., and Saif, S. I. (2019). Effect of graphite particles on physical and mechanical properties
of nickel matrix composite. Periodicals of Engineering and Natural Sciences, 7(3), pp. 1318-1328.
[21] Lokesh, K. S. (2019). Experimental Study on Effect of Silicon Carbide and Graphite particles on Mechanical
Behaviour of Alluminium-6061 Alloys. International Journal of Scientific Research in Mechanical and Materials
Engineering, 3(1), pp. 10-17.
[22] Ajagol, P., Anjan, B. N., Rajaneesh, N. M., and Preetham, K. G. V. (2018). Effect of SiC Reinforcement on
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite. IOP Conf. Series: Materials
Science and Engineering, 376, pp. 1-9.
[23] Wasekar, M. K. and Khond, M. P. (2021). Analysis of the influence of reinforcements on the microstructure
and mechanical characterization of the Al-Flyash composites, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 56, pp. 217-
228.
[24] Habibur Rahman, Md., and Al Rached, H. M. M. (2014). Characterization of silicon carbide reinforced aluminum
matrix composites. Procedia Engineering, 90, pp. 103-109.
[25] Venkatesh, V. and Ashish, B. D. (2022). Microstructural Characterization and Mechanical Behaviour of SiC and
Kaoline Reinforced Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites Fabricated Through Powder Metallurgy Technique.
Silicon, 5, pp. 3721-3737.
[26] Leszczyńska-Madej, B., Wąsik, A. and Madej, M. (2017). Microstructure characterization of SiC reinforced aluminium
and Al4CU alloy matrix composites. Arch. Metall. Mater., 62(2), pp. 747-755.
[27] Prasad, H. N., Srinivas, H. K., Nagaral, M., Auradi, V., Characterization and tensile fractography of nano ZrO2
reinforced copper zinc alloy composites, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 48 (2019) 370-376.
[28] Aneta, S. N. (2017). Microstructure and properties of sintered metal matrix composites reinforced with sic particles,
Technical Transactions, 6, pp. 179-190.

446
 M. Ravikumar et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 62 (2022) 439-447; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.62.30

[29] Ali, M., and Mohsen, O. S. (2013). Microstructural and abrasive wear properties of SiC reinforced aluminum-based
composite produced by compocasting. Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China, 23, pp. 1905-1914.
[30] Ajith Arul, D., Murugesan, S., Manojkumar., and Sukkasamy, S. (2017). Dry sliding wear behaviour of aluminium
5059/SiC/MoS2 hybrid metal matrix composites. Materials Research, pp. 1-10,
DOI: 10.1590/1980-5373-MR-2017-0009.
[31] Ononiwu, N. H., Ozoegwu, C. G., Jacobs, I.O., Nwachukwu, V.C., and Akinlabi, E.T. (2022). The influence of
sustainable reinforcing particulates on the density, hardness and corrosion resistance of AA 6063, Frattura
ed Integrità Strutturale, 61, pp. 510-518.
[32] Chawla, N. and Shen, Y. (2001). Mechanical behavior of particle reinforced metal matrix composites. Advanced
Engineering Materials, 3(6), pp. 357-370.
[33] Abhijit, B., Dipankar, D. and Ajay, B. (2022). Characteristics Study of Physical, Mechanical and Tribological
Behaviour of SiC/TiB2 Dispersed Aluminium Matrix Composite. Silicon, 14, pp. 1133-1146.
[34] Nadeem, F. and Kaushik, K. (2018). Mechanical and tribological behaviour of nano scaled silicon carbide reinforced
aluminium composites, Journal of Experimental Nanoscience, 13, pp. S1-S13.
[35] Kumar, A., Lal, S., and Kumar, S. (2013). Fabrication and characterization of A359/Al2O3 metal matrix composite
using electromagnetic stir casting method. J Mater Res Technol., 2(3), pp. 250-254.
[36] Abhijit, B, Dipankar, D., and Ajay, B. (2021 Comparative Study of Microstructure, Physical and Mechanical
Characterization of SiC/TiB2 Reinforced Aluminium Matrix Composite. Silicon, 13, pp. 2003-2010.
[37] Karakoc¸H., Ovali, I., Sibel, D., and Citak, R. (2019). Wear and mechanical properties of Al6061/SiC/B4C hybrid
composites produced with powder metallurgy. JMR&T, 8(6), pp. 5348-5361.
[38] Sathyashankara, S., Gowrishankar, M.C., Pavan, H., Manjunath, S., and Gurumurthy, B.M. (2020). Tensile
fractography of artificially aged Al6061-SiC+B4C hybrid composites. Materials Science Forum, 995, pp. 3-8.
[39] Iyengar, S., Shobha., R. and Koppad, P. (2021). Microstructure, microhardness, and tensile properties of hot-rolled
Al6061/TiB2/CeO2 hybrid composites. The Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy,
121(10), pp. 543-548, DOI: 10.17159/2411- 9717/1560/2021.
[40] Saritha, P., Saikumar, G., Venkatreddy, R., and Ravikanth Raju, P. (2018). Mechanical characterization and wear
behaviour of Al7075 alloy reinforced with alumina and molybdenum disulphide. International Journal of Mechanical
and Production Engineering Research and Development, 8(6), pp. 395-404.
[41] Sachin, K. M., and Shanmugasundaram, A. (2019). Influence of Gr, MoS2 and BN on the hardness and wear
resistance of AA2014 hybrid composite after artificial aging. IJITEE, 8(10), pp. 3608-3613.

447