Influence of Heat Treatment on Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Aluminium Metal Matrix composites (AA 6061 reinforced with MoS2)

Abstract

Influence of Heat Treatment on Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Aluminium Metal Matrix composites (AA 6061 reinforced with MoS2)The aluminium alloys are used in defence, aerospace, automobile and chemical plant applications due to their very high strength and lightweight properties. However, corrosion is a life-limiting factor when aluminium alloys are exposed to unusual environments at different temperatures. The present study is aimed to evaluating the mechanical and corrosion properties of aluminium metal matrix composites (AMMCs), AA6061 as matrix material and MoS2 as reinforcement material, were made through stir casting method. AMMCs with varying percentage by different wt.%, 1%,2%, 3%, 4%,5% MoS2 were fabricated. It was observed that in comparison to the matrix metal, the precipitation kinetic was accelerated by adding the MoS2 particles. A systematic study of the matrix metal and AMMCs were done to evaluate the mechanical properties (hardness, yield strength and tensile strength) and pitting corrosion resistance in as cast and heat treated condition. It was noticed that, mechanical properties and pitting corrosion resistance are increase with the increase in wt.% of the reinforcement up to 4% MoS2 further addition there is a diminution in both the conditions. Out of all the AMMCs studied, better mechanical and corrosion resistance was observed with 4% MoS2 composite. Optical microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy studies were carried out to authenticate the mechanical properties and trace the mechanism of corrosion.