Utilization of waste graphite crucible for the fabrication of ex-situ AA1100/Graphite composite via stir casting route

Abstract

This study presents the fabrication of aluminium alloy based ex-situ composite, where waste graphite crucible in the form of powder has been utilized as a reinforcement. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) has been employed for phase analysis and confirmed the presence of the carbon phase in the composite. Optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) have been employed for microstructural analysis and confirmation of Gr particles. OM reveals the existence of second phase graphite (Gr) particles which attribute the grain refinement of the matrix. SEM and EDX confirm the presence and distribution of Graphite particles. To illustrate the effect of graphite content on mechanical properties of composite, tensile strength, hardness, and percentage elongation have been evaluated. Three compositions with 0, 3, and 6 wt% (wt %) of graphite were prepared. Analysis of mechanical characteristics reveals that as Gr content increases till 3 wt% leads to improvement in the tensile strength as well as in hardness of composites but further enhancement in Gr content till 6 wt% shows a decrease in the tensile strength, while a very minor change in hardness of the composite.