Evaluation of microhardness and wear properties of Al 6063 composite reinforced with yttrium oxide using stir casting process

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to analyse the changes in mechanical and wear performance of aluminium alloy when yttrium oxide particles are incorporated. The microstructures are studied to analyse the change in the grain structures. Worn surfaces are observed via scanning electron microscope to study the wear mechanism in detail.Design/methodology/approachStir casting is used to incorporate varying composition of yttrium particles, having an average particle size of 25 micrometer, in aluminium alloy 6063 matrix. Wear testing is carried out by DUCOM manufactured high temperature rotatory tribometer, and an indentation test is used for analysing the microhardness of the fabricated samples.FindingsMicrohardness of the material is increased with the increasing content of particulate addition. With the increasing content of reinforcement, more refined grains are produced. The load is transferred from the matrix to more rigid yttrium oxide particles. These factors contributed to escalated microhardness of the reinforced samples. Particulate addition enhanced the wear performance of the material; this might be attributed to increased microhardness and formation of an oxide layer.Originality/valueAluminium composites are finding wide applications in various industries, and there is always a requirement of material with enhanced tribological properties. Yttrium oxide particles exhibit improved mechanical properties, and their interaction with the aluminium matrix has not been studied much in the past. So, in this work, yttrium oxide incorporated aluminium matrix is studied.