Physical, mechanical and corrosion properties of Al6061/ZrB2 metal matrix nano composites via powder metallurgy process

Abstract

In a new approach, an excellent functionally graded Aluminium Metal Matrix Nano Composites (AMMNC)fabricating via Powder metallurgy (P/M) route using various nanomaterials reinforcementhaving high potential in a field of ordnance, petroleum, petrochemical, aerospace, and automobile industrial applications. In the present investigations,an attempt has been made to fabricate the Al6061 metal matrix composites with nano-sizeZrB2particulates reinforcement in Wt. % of 0 to 2 by step 0.5 wt% using powder metallurgy route. The effect of nanoparticles reinforcement on the evolution of microstructures, physical, mechanical, and corrosion properties of Al6061/ nano-ZrB2metal matrix composites (ANMMCs) was studied and discussed in detail. The composite was prepared with 2 wt% of reinforcement exhibited higher hardness is due to increased density and having finer grains. Potentiodynamic polarization studies were made ata 3.5% NaClenvironment showed that the corrosion resistance of Al6061/ZrB2wasimproved with the increase in Wt.% of reinforcement compared to pure Al6061. AMMNC at 2 wt% ZrB2 exhibited significantly higher corrosion resistance as comparedwith other AMMNCs.