Development and Characterization of Aluminium-Based Metal Matrix Composite
Development and Characterization of Aluminium-Based Metal Matrix Composite
https://www.scirp.org/journal/msa
ISSN Online: 2153-1188
ISSN Print: 2153-117X
1. Introduction
A new material known as a composite is created by mixing two or more different
suggested materials, such as metal, ceramic, or plastic, to provide qualities that
are superior to those of the parent materials alone. Composites are now regarded
as one of the most important tribes of engineered materials in the modern era.
Due to their exceptional specific strength, stiffness, and high thermal and elec-
trical conductivities, these composites have also drawn attention. In addition to
its usage for structural purposes, composites are also used in electrical, thermal,
tribological, and environmental applications. Because of their superior machin-
ing, joining, and processability, Al-based metal matrices are referred to as adapta-
ble materials that may be employed for a wide range of engineering applications.
Al alloys are better material for engineering applications due to their inexpensive
cost, enhanced strength-to-weight ratio, high elastic modulus and other ecologi-
cally favorable features. The reinforcement consists of the discontinuous mem-
bers silicon carbide (SiC) and aluminium oxide (Al2O3) used to strengthen the
aluminum metal, while the continuous phase (aluminum or aluminum alloy) in
molten form during casting is known as the matrix, which becomes solid after
solidification. In this study, SiC and Al2O3 was used because of their diverse
properties and availability. SiC is a commonly used and economical choice for
reinforcement. SiC is hard, brittle but it can enhance ductility, density and hard-
ness. SiC reinforced MMC is very cost effective and easy to cast. Like SiC, Al2O3
was chosen because of its versatile properties. Al2O3 is a hard ceramic particle
that has high thermal conductivity and can supplement the mechanical and tri-
bological properties. Alumina can also be helpful for weathering as metal alumi-
nium can be reactive with the atmospheric oxygen. Depending on the need and
application, many researchers created a variety of composite materials employ-
ing various matrices, reinforcement sizes, shapes, and volumes, as well as ac-
ceptable processing methods. According to Balasivanandha Prabu et al., by ad-
justing the stirring speed and duration, it was possible to improve the perfor-
mance of the aluminum-Si-based composite by adding 10% silicon carbide [1].
Various effects on microstructure and other properties change with varying stir-
ring speed and time. According to B. Roebuck et al.’s research, silicon carbide
(SiCp)-reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites (MMC) outperform
comparable non-reinforced matrix alloy systems in terms of yield strength,
thermal expansion coefficient, elastic modulus, and wear resistance by up to 20%
[2]. When the stirring speed and duration are changed, different impacts on the
microstructure and other properties also change. According to Amit Raturi et
al., yield strength constantly increases with an increase in Al2O3 particle concen-
tration up to 1 weight percent, but when more particles are added—1.5 weight
percent, yield strength decreases [3]. The ultimate tensile strength and yield
strength of the composite increased by 37% and 81%, respectively, relative to the
alloy matrix at the optimal concentration of nano-Al2O3 particulates (1 wt%).
A359/Al2O3 composite was created by Abhishek Kumar et al. using the electro-
magnetic stir casting method [4]. The author noticed that compared to pure al-
loy, the hardness values increased to 72.8 HRC (46HRC). In addition, compared
to pure alloy (103.7 N/mm2), the composite’s tensile strength increased to 148.7
N/mm2. The size of the Al2O3 particle affects wear behavior. Wear resistance also
increases as particle size increases. According to the literature, there has been
comparatively less research on the electrical and thermal properties of SiC and
Al2O3 reinforced Al-MMC, but much more on the microstructure and mechani-
cal properties (hardness, tensile qualities, friction). Therefore, using silica and
alumina as reinforcement, we experimentally examined the composite’s electric-
al, thermal, and mechanical properties. Another fabrication technique, such as
squeeze casting, powder casting, spray casting, etc., can be used to carry out the
same experiment, and the results can then be compared to those of the stir cast-
ing technique. By using different reinforcement grains of the same particle, as in
this experiment, the research can be furthered. A number of properties like ther-
mal expansion coefficient, corrosion resistance etc. of the SiC/Al2O3 reinforced
Al/Al alloys MMC are not well studied. This study focused on the different
properties of SiC/Al2O3 reinforced Al/Al alloys MMC.
2. Experimental Procedure
2.1. Materials
All the raw materials (Pure Al, AA-6061, AA-4032, SiC) were collected from lo-
cal market (chemical composition shown in Tables 1(a)-(c)). Table 2 shows the
size distribution of the course and fine SiC particles. Table 3 shows composition
of 7 samples of MMC.
Table 1. (a) The chemical composition of pure Aluminium; (b) The chemical composi-
tion of AA-6061; (c) The chemical composition of AA-4032.
(a)
% Fe Si Al
(b)
% Ti % Mn % Cu % Fe % Zn Mg Si Al
(c)
% Cr % Zn % Ti % Cu % Mn % Mg % Fe % Si Al
Course Fine
2 - 1 mm 96.530 - -
2.2. Fabrication
A crucible furnace (VBF-1200×, MTI corporation, USA) to melt the metal/alloys
used as matrix of the MMC. 40 min requires to raise the temperature 750˚C and
then it was kept at 750˚C for 30 min. A local made stir casting set was used for
making MMC (as shown in Figure 1). A motor was utilized to regulate the stir-
rer’s rotation. In order to control the motor’s rpm, we connected a dimmer to it.
The controlled voltage range for the dimmer was from 0 to 250 Volts. The mo-
tor’s RPM range was 250. A steel frame that served as a hanger for the motor was
placed in the center of the furnace.
2.3. Testing
Density is measured with the help of Archimedes’ principle using electronic
balance (AS 220/C/2, RADWAG, Polland).
To determine the hardness of the material a micro-hardness tester (HMV-2T,
Shimadzu Corporation, Japan) was used in this work. Samples with a 10 × 5 × 5
mm dimension were used for the hardness test. The specimens were polished
using different grades of emery (400 to 1800). The samples were tested after be-
ing polished. The indentation was place for 10 seconds with 500 g of load. Five
indentions were measured and the average was ultimately chosen.
The materials were cut into precise measurements for tensile testing after
creating the appropriate samples. A computer operated UTM (H10KS, Houns-
field, UK) was used for tensile properties measurement. 5 samples were used for
each set of sample. The arms moved at a 2 mm/second speed.
The impact test of the manufactured materials was measured using impact
tester (QPI-IC-21J, Qualitest, USA). The experiment’s specimens were 40 × 10 ×
10 mm in size with V-shaped notch at the center with 2 mm depth and 45˚
notch angle. 3 samples were used for each set of sample test.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 2. (a) Effect of 5% course SiC addition with AA 6061 alloy on density; (b) Effect of
5% fine SiC addition with AA 6061 alloy on density; (c) Effect of 5% Al2O3 addition with
Pure Al on Density; (d) Effect of 5% Al2O3 addition with AA 4032 alloy on density.
Figure 2(a) shows the effect of course SiC addition on the density of AA-6061
it shows that the density increases with the addition of SiC. It is because of dens-
er particle (3.21 gm/cc) addition with lighter materials AA-6061 (2.70 gm/cc).
According to mixer rule, the density of the MMC is 2.7255 which is very similar
to obtained density of the MMC (2.703 gm/cc). The slight variation might be
associated with voids. Figures 3(b)-(d) show the effect particulate additions (5%
fine SIC, 5% Al2O3, and 5% Al2O3) on different matrix (AA-6061, pure Al and
AA-4032). Both the reinforcements are denser than the pure Al/Al alloy. From
the above bar charts, the density of the matrix is raised when a greater density
reinforcement is used with a lower density matrix material. According to
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 3. (a) Effect of 5% coarse SiC addition with AA-6061 alloy on Hardness; (b) Effect
of 5% fine SiC addition with AA-6061 alloy on Hardness; (c) Effect of 5% Al2O3 addition
with Pure Al on Hardness; (d) Effect of 5% Al2O3 addition with AA-4032 alloy on Hard-
ness.
Ozben T, Kilickap Erol et al. the average density of aluminium alloy is 2.6 and
after adding reinforcement, the density increases [5]. The density of SiC and
alumina are 3.21 and 3.95 gm/cc.
Very similar results were obtained by Balasubramanya et al. (2019).
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 4. (a) Effect of 5% Coarse SiC Addition with AA 6061 alloy on Tensile Strength;
(b) Effect of 5% fine SiC Addition with AA 6061 alloy on Tensile Strength; (c) Effect of
5% Al2O3 Addition with Pure Al on Tensile Strength; (d) Effect of 5% Al2O3 Addition
with AA 4032 alloy on Tensile Strength.
test findings demonstrate that the composite’s hardness increases when hard
particles are present inside the matrix. Balasubramanya HS obtained HV20.5 to
30 with the increase of SiC upto 20% SiC in pure Al.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 5. (a) Effect of 5% Coarse SiC Addition with AA-6061 alloy on Elongation; (b) Ef-
fect of 5% fine SiC addition with AA-6061 alloy on Elongation; (c) Effect of 5% Al2O3
Addition with Pure Al on Elongation; (d) Effect of 5% Al2O3 Addition with AA-4032 alloy
on Elongation.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 6. (a) Effect of 5% Coarse SiC Addition with AA-6061 alloy on Impact Energy; (b) Effect of 5% fine SiC addition
with AA-6061 alloy on Elongation; (c) Effect of 5% Al2O3 Addition with Pure Al on Elongation; (d) Effect of 5% Al2O3
Addition with AA-4032 alloy on Tensile Strength.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 7. (a) Effect of 5% Coarse SiC Addition with AA-6061 alloy on Electrical Conductivity (% IACS); (b)
Effect of 5% fine SiC addition with AA-6061 alloy on Conductivity (% IACS); (c) Effect of 5% Al2O3 Addition
with Pure Al on Conductivity (% IACS); (d) Effect of 5% Al2O3 Addition with AA-4032 alloy on Conductivity
(% IACS).
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 8. (a) Effect of 5% coarse SiC on TEC (/˚C, ×106) of AA-6061; (b) Effect of 5% fine SiC on TEC (/˚C, ×106)
of AA-6061; (c) Effect of 5% Al2O3 on TEC (/˚C, ×106) of Pure Al; (d) Effect of 5% Al2O3 on TEC (/˚C, ×106) of
AA-4032.
Table 4. Thermal data of three base metal/alloys from differential thermal analysis.
For AA4032, containing 13.6% Si, it is a near eutectic alloy. The melting point
is 582.0˚C which very near to equilibrium eutectic temperature 577˚C. It is
slightly higher because higher heating rate. There is existence of another phase
melt at 647.0˚C.
Figure 10(a) shows the comparative DTA curve of commercially pure Al, AA
6061 and AA4032. The most right on is for commercially pure Al and most left
on is for AA-4032. AA6061 is in between the two curves. Figure 10(b) shows the
comparative DTA curve of AA6061, AA 6061 with 5% course SiC and AA 6061
with 5% fine SiC. It reveals that SiC addition increase the thermal stability. The
peak temperatures are 664.1˚C, 669.0˚C and 667.6˚C. Figure 10(c) show the
comparative DTA curve of pure Al and pure Al with 5% Al2O3. It reveals that
Al2O3 addition increase the thermal stability. The peak temperatures are 677.4˚C
(a)
(b)
(c)
and 682.7˚C. Figure 10(d) shows the comparative DTA curve of AA4032 nd AA
4032 with 5% Al2O3. It reveals that Al2O3 addition increase the thermal stability.
The peak temperatures are 591.9 and 598.6˚C.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 10. (a) DTA of Pure Al, AA6063, and AA4032; (b) Effect of 5% SiC Addition with
AA6061 on DTA signal; (c) Effect of 5% fine Al2O3 Addition with Pure Al on DTA signal;
(d) Effect of 5% Al2O3 Addition with AA4032 on DTA signal.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 11. (a) Effect of 5% Coarse SiC Addition with AA-6061 alloy on Icor; (b) Effect of 5% fine SiC addition with
AA-6061 alloy on Icor; (c) Effect of 5% Al2O3 Addition with Pure Al on Icor; (d) Effect of 5% Al2O3 Addition with
AA-4032 alloy on Icor.
3.3.2. Microstructure
The microstructure of the samples was under an optical microscope. SiC par-
ticles with a deep golden color and wedge shapes were seen in and around the
interdendrite regions, leading to an increased aspect ratio. It is obvious that the
coarser SiC particle distribution is less even than that of the finer SiC particle.
There’s some dendritic growth seen on the AA-6061 + 5% coarse SiC. A little
cracking can be seen on the AA-6061 + 5% finer SiC sample. The matrix of the
composite with alumina particles showed even dispersion without any disconti-
nuities. The grain disparity between the pure aluminium and aluminium alloy is
clearly seen in Figure 3 and Figure 4. The discontinuity and issues in the sam-
ples can be seen because of the inconsistency in stirring, low wettability, pres-
ence of air trapped on the furnace etc. (Figure 13).
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 12. (a) Effect of 5% Coarse SiC Addition with AA-6061 alloy on Corrosion rate; (b) Effect of 5% fine SiC
addition with AA-6061 alloy on Corrosion rate; (c) Effect of 5% Al2O3 Addition with Pure Al on Corrosion rate;
(d) Effect of 5% Al2O3 Addition with AA-4032 alloy on Corrosion rate.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 13. (a) AA-6061 + 5% Coarse SiC; (b) AA-6061 + 5% Finer SiC; (c) Pure Al + 5%
Al2O3; (d) AA-4032 + 5% Al2O3.
4. Conclusions
The following conclusions can be taken from the development and experimental
analysis:
The stir casting method has been successfully used to fabricate the metal ma-
trix composite with an aluminum basis.
A few variables can influence the manufacture of the MMC to produce better
outcomes. The parameters include the casting process, the stirrer design, the
size of the stirrer, the rpm and time of the stirring, the temperature of the
preheating process, the uniform distribution of the particles, etc. In this ex-
ample, changing parameters may result in various outcomes.
Every sample created in this experiment displayed improved qualities, except
for the third sample (pure aluminum + 5% Al2O3). The third sample, Pure
Aluminium + 5% Al2O3, had a poor outcome in the hardness test since the
sample’s hardness reduced. The aforementioned variables may be able to ex-
plain why the third sample’s hardness was reduced.
During the corrosion test, it is found that the samples’ corrosion rate and
Icorr were higher than those of the basic matrix materials. The materials will
erode more quickly than the underlying materials as the corrosion rate and
Icorr rise. This experiment’s bad outcome is that the samples’ corrosion rate
and Icorr have increased.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this pa-
per.
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