Effect of basalt powder in AA 5083 composite on microstructure and mechanical properties evolution

Abstract

The present work investigates the mechanical property and microstructural evolution of Al-5083 composite produced by liquid metallurgy technique. The basalt powder particulates were reinforced to AA 5083 alloy to enhance the mechanical properties. The tensile, hardness and impact tsests were performed, and it was found that the composites had better mechanical properties than the base Al- 5083 for tensile and hardness properties. The tensile test results indicate that the UTS shows an increment in the strength with the increase in reinforcement content. However, with an increase in the reinforcement particles, the ductility of the composite showing decrement trend. It is attributed to the increase in stress concentration due to powder agglomeration. As expected, the hardness results show the increasing trend with the increase in basalt powder concentration. Further, the impact strength of the composite was strongly influenced by the basalt powder content.