Enhancement of mechanical properties of aluminium metal matrix composite by reinforcing waste alumina catalyst and nano Al2O3

Abstract

The manufacturing industries are ready to experiment with the metal matrix composites by miscellaneous materials out of ordinary combination. From the rundown, it is obvious that research is concentrated in recycling or reusing any waste material so as to reduce the usage of conventional materials. The present investigation aims to reuse waste spent catalysts from the petroleum industries (goes as waste in landfills) to synthesize aluminium metal matrix composite. The waste catalysts used in the investigation consists of beneficial elements like alumina, molybdenum, silica, nickel etc. The waste spent catalyst previously proved to increase the strength of cement, bricks etc. in construction field. The inclusion of nano materials enhances the mechanical properties of the metal matrix composites. In this research, aluminium metal matrix composite was synthesized with dual reinforcement of waste alumina catalyst and nano Al 2 O 3 by Stir casting. The ratio of nano Al 2 O 3 was varied such as 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% along with 10% waste alumina catalyst in the aluminium matrix. The nano composites were tested for hardness and tensile strength with a detailed microstructural study using Scanning Electron Microscope. The nano composites resulted with improved mechanical properties than pure aluminium. The nano composite Al + 10%WAC + 1% nano Al 2 O 3 , yielded the highest hardness of 94HRB and tensile strength of 115.21 MPa.