Mechanical Characterization Studies of Aluminium Alloy 7075 Based Nanocomposites

Abstract

In the present study, addition of nano silicon carbide particulates (nSiCp) in the matrix of aluminium alloy 7075 (AA7075) in different weight proportions (0 %, 0.5 %, 1 %, 1.5 %, 2 % and 2.5 %) are done by means of ultrasonic cavitation assisted stir casting technique. The distribution of reinforcing elements was visualized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) image, which reveals that uniform distribution is possible with 1.5 % of nSiCp addition after which agglomeration of nanoparticles is observed. It is observed that with 1.5 % addition of nSiCp mechanical properties gets enhanced, after which it gets reduced. Compared with as cast alloy, tensile strength is improved by 188.17 % and micro-hardness by 48.58 % with a reduction in % elongation by 48.57 % and increase in impact strength by 73.17 % decrease in corrosion rate by 39.44 % is achieved with 1.5 % nSiCp addition with AA7075. Wear resistance tends to improve by 25 % with an increase in the coefficient of friction by 14.18 % with 1.5 % addition of nSiCp. With higher addition of nSiCp above 1.5 %, properties tend to lower due to clustering of nSiCp, which eventually lowers the surface area of nSiCp.