Correlation of structural and mechanical properties for Al-Al2O3-SiC hybrid metal matrix composites

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to examine the outcome of Al2O3-SiC reinforcements on structural and mechanical behavior of Al matrix based hybrid composites. Al-Al2O3-SiC hybrid composite has been developed through stir casting with addition of ceramics i.e. Al2O3-SiC (2.5 wt.%, 5.0 wt.%, 7.5 wt.% and 10.0 wt.%) in relative and symmetrical proportion. The structural characteristics, i.e. phase, microstructure, EDS; physical property i.e. density and the mechanical properties, i.e. hardness, impact strength and tensile strength of fabricated specimens have been investigated. XRD represents the transitional phase formation among Al base material and Al2O3-SiC ceramic phases with inter-atomic bonding between them. SEM reveals that the Al2O3-SiC fragments has distributed symmetrically in Al matrix. EDS spectrum of various samples are in confirmation with the XRD results. Density of hybrid composite reduces with increase in weight percentage of ceramic reinforcements i.e. Al2O3-SiC because ceramic particle gains low density after preheating. Hardness of hybrid composites increases upto 5 wt.% variation of ceramic reinforcements i.e. Al2O3-SiC after that it decreases. Impact strength of hybrid composite has been increased with an increase in weight percentage of ceramic. Al-2.5 wt.% Al2O3-2.5 wt.% SiC shows maximum ultimate tensile strength. It is expected that the prepared hybrid composites will be useful for fastener studs.