Studies on microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of hybrid Al-4032 AMC reinforced with SiC and granite marble powder

Abstract

The present work reports the impact of granite marble powder (GMP) and SiC on the physical, microstructural, and mechanical characterization of the hybrid aluminium-based metal matrix composite (AMC). Al-4032/SiC/GMP composites with 4, 6, and 8 weight % of SiC and GMP (equal proportion) have been fabricated through stir casting. The impact on properties like density, porosity, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation, microhardness, and impact strength were analyzed according to ASTM standards. A maximum of 1.07% increase in theoretical density and a maximum of 4.86% decrease in experimental density have been recorded for 8% reinforcement. Microstructure of the as-cast specimens were analyzed using optical microscope (OM), XRD (X-ray diffraction), and SEM (scanning electron microscope) equipped with EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy). Owing to ceramic particles, mechanical properties like UTS, microhardness, and impact strength of the AMC got enhanced from 69.4 MPa to 146 MPa, 131.4 HV to 190.2 HV, and 22.4 J to 32.8 J, respectively.