Wear and Tensile Behavior of Titanium Carbide and Fly Ash–Reinforced Magnesium Matrix Composites

Abstract

Metal matrix composites are considered as suitable materials for enhancing the properties of materials used for automobile and aerospace sectors. This research work is about magnesium matrix composites reinforced with 7 wt. % of titanium carbide and fly ash fabricated by stir casting technique. The particle distribution of the reinforcements in matrix material was examined by using optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy technique. The mechanical and microstructural properties of composites were investigated and compared with stir-cast pure magnesium. Titanium carbide and fly ash–reinforced composite showed around a 55.5 % and 33.3 % increase in hardness, respectively. Titanium carbide–reinforced composite displayed more wear resistance as related to fly ash composite and stir-cast pure magnesium. There was also an increase in tensile strength of composites as equated to stir-cast pure magnesium. The fracture behavior of composites showed the presence of surface cracks, voids, and particles of reinforced material in composites. As compared to titanium carbide–based composite, fly ash composite showed wider voids and agglomeration of fly ash particles in fracture surface. However, the fractured surface of pure magnesium showed deep voids as compared to composites along with elongated dimples.