Mechanical behavior of Al-matrix nanocomposites produced by stir casting technique

Abstract

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) have emerged as a material for aircraft and automotive applications owing to its superior specific strength, stiffness, controlled co-efficient of thermal expansion, light weight and excellent wear resistance. The current research study emphases on the production of aluminium (AA6082) matrix composites reinforced in different volume fractions of alumina (50nm) particulates by using stir casting method. The volume fraction of reinforcement was varied from 0% to 3% in stages of 1%. The produced composites were examined by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Hardness and tensile strength of the composite was studied. The mechanical properties of these composites were compared with matrix alloy. Microstructural results revealed the homogeneous distribution of nano alumina particles in the matrix. The test results revealed that the hardness and tensile strength of the composite increase with an increase in the volume fraction of alumina particle content, this may be due to good interfacial bonding between the reinforcement and the matrix.