Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Alloy Reinforced with Silicon Dioxide and Fly Ash Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

The present study focus at evaluating the mechanical properties of Aluminium in the presence of silicon dioxide, fly ash and its combinations. The compositions were added up to the required level and stir casting method was used for the development of aluminium metal matrix composites. Structural characterizations were carried out on metal matrix composites by x-ray diffraction methods and optical microscopy was used for the micro structural studies. The mechanical properties of metal matrix composites like tensile strength and hardness tests were carried out. Wear test was also performed using pin on disc. In the presence of silicon dioxide and fly ash (0–10%) with aluminium matrix, it was fairly observed that the densities of the composites were decreased and the hardness was increased. Correspondingly, the decrease in tensile strength was observed with decrease in addition of reinforcement. The aluminium-SiO2-fly ash hybrid metal matrix composites extremely differed in all of the properties measured. The newly developed aluminium hybrid composites have significant improvements in tribological properties with a combination of silicon dioxide and fly ash.