Abstract
The present study aims to investigate the microstructure and mechanical properties of the A356 aluminum metal matrix composite reinforced with Y2O3 particles. The composite is synthesized by adding 1 and 2 vol.% of reinforcement via stir casting assisted by ultrasonic treatment (UT). Microstructural contemplates show improvement in the dispersion of nano Y2O3 particles and a decrease in the porosity level due to the ultrasound aided synthesis. The UT refines the size of the Y2O3 particles as well as helps to improve their dispersion. The secondary dendrite arm spacing of 2 vol.% Y2O3 reinforced samples with 5 min UT are found to be significantly reduced to 12 μm as compared to that of the as-cast A356 alloy. The addition of 2 vol.% of nanoY2O3 has significantly improved the hardness of the A356 alloy from 60 HV to 108 HV. A considerable increment in the YS and TS of the A356 alloy is observed with the increase in the amount of Y2O3 and found to further improve with UT. However, minimal reduction in ductility is observed with the addition of Y2O3 as well as ultrasonic treatment.
Highlights
Aluminum based metal matrix composites are widely used in aerospace, automotive, mining structural and military applications due to their low weight to high strength ratio, wear resistance, high hardness, elevated temperature resistance and greater stiffness compared to as-cast aluminum alloy
The aim of the present study is to investigate the microstructure and mechanical properties of the A356 aluminum metal matrix composite reinforced with Y2O3 particles
The secondary dendrite arm spacing of 2 vol.% Y2O3 reinforced samples with 5 min ultrasonic treatment (UT) is found to be significantly reduced to 12 μm as compared to that of the as-cast A356 alloy
Summary
Aluminum based metal matrix composites are widely used in aerospace, automotive, mining structural and military applications due to their low weight to high strength ratio, wear resistance, high hardness, elevated temperature resistance and greater stiffness compared to as-cast aluminum alloy. R et al [1] detailed the applications of aluminium based composites in various engineering applications. The properties and performance of the composites depends on their matrix alloy, reinforcement material and processing technique. Jayakrishnan et al [2] demonstrated the properties of TiB2 in-situ composites to be dependent on the A356 alloy and the processing technique. Satish Kumar et al [3] studied the effect of reinforcement and the processing technique on the Al-4Mg Alloy/MgAl2O4 in-situ composites. Aluminium 356 alloys are widely used in a variety of engineering applications due to its castability, corrosion and wear resistance. Radhika et al.[4] detailed the wear resiatance of LM25/SiO2 composites and optimized its wear process parameters and Arunagiri et al [5] studied the castability and adhesive wear behaviour of LM25/AlB2 composites for applications
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