Mechanical, Microstructure and Wear properties of Al 6113 Fly Ash reinforced Composites: Comparison of as-cast and Heat-treated Conditions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Metal matrix composites (MMCs) processed with significant technological interventions offer excellent properties at reduced cost resulted in a wide range of engineering applications. In MMCs, ensuring homogeneous dispersal of reinforcement in metal matrix to obtain aggregate properties in composites still remains as a challenging task. Industrial waste-based fly ash (FA) particles were used as a reinforcement material to fabricate Al 6113 composites. Ultrasonic- assisted stir casting technique was employed to prepare composites. FA particles with different weight proportions (3, 6 and 9 wt.%) are reinforced to prepare the composites and examine their properties (micro-hardness, compressive strength and wear rate). Furthermore, properties are also examined for the prepared as-cast composites subjected to heat treatment conditions. Microstructural analysis confirms, 6% FA particles are fairly and evenly distributed in Al6113 matrix material resulted in best properties. Al6113 with 6% fly ash particles improves 8.68% hardness and 61.6% compression strength of the compared to as-cast Al6113 specimen. Heat-treated composites showed a significant improvement from 73.7 to 82.5 HV for hardness, 75.61 to 130.7 MPa for compression strength, and decreased values in wear rate from 0.9233 to 0.4298 mm3/min, and Coefficient of Friction (CoF) from 0.648 to 0.319 compared to as-cast Al 6113 specimens.