Matrix Hybrid Composites Research Articles

Mechanical properties and moisture behaviour of neem/banyan fibres reinforced with polymer matrix hybrid composite

ABSTRACT In this research work, chopped neem fibre and woven banyan fibre were stacked into seven different sequences and fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. The laminates consist of 70% epoxy matrix, 25% natural fibre reinforcements and 5% sawdust filler material. The mechanical properties of the composite such as tensile strength, flexural strength, compression strength and impact strength were studied and also identify the water absorption capacity under different weight fractions of fibres. It is more effective by increasing the weight fraction of bi-directional woven banyan fibres which give better tensile strength of 25.55 MPa, flexural strength of 21.23 MPa, compression strength of 25.21 MPa and increasing of chopped neem fibre gave higher impact strength of 18 J in sample G was found in natural composite. Also, in sample G was given less moisture absorption capacity of 0.1% compared with other sample of hybrid composite. Therefore, the sample G sequence can replace to polycarbonate synthetic helmet and it is a potential alternate material for making natural composite helmet. The surface morphology was studied by SEM analysis before and after fracture of the hybrid composite to reveal the surface finish and failure mode of the epoxy composite laminates.

Characterization and Mechanical Properties of the ZA-12 Hybrid Composites Reinforced with Nano Ceramic Particles

In this work, nanosized Boron nitride and silicon carbide reinforced ZA - 12 matrix hybrid composites were produced using stir casting technique with using of aluminum scrap (AA 2024), pure Al (electrical wires) and zinc scraps. Microstructure Observation was revealed by using scanning electron microscopy, and the analysis showed a uniform distribution of (SiC and BN) hybrid nanoparticles for the Zn-Al matrix. Also, an optical microscope was used to display the dendritic structure and reinforcement particles that dispersed uniformly in the matrix. Mechanical tests results confirmed that the hardness and the compression was increased with increasing the hybrid nanoparticle's percentage, whereas the wear rate decreased as the reinforcing materials increased. Since nanoparticles restrict dislocation movement, the mechanical properties are enhanced. The improvement ratio in hardness after addition was 26%., and in wear rate was 24% and for the compression strength the improvement was (19%).

Study on Tribological Properities Of Aluminium Hybrid Composities For Automotive Applications

Aluminium metal matrix hybrid composites are refined through stir casting method. Aluminium A-356 is reinforced with ceramic particles like Zirconium diboride (ZrB2) and Tungsten carbide (WC) in varying weight percentages (ie. 2.5% and 5%). (The purpose is to compare the properties like of the different composite specimens). This work aims to develop aluminium metal hybrid composites for automotive applications and studying its wear characteristics. Due to low density, aluminium metal was chosen. Of the several alloys, A356 is chosen as the matrix material since it has good castability and good strength and low cost. Among the reinforcements, WC possess high durability and good wear support. Stir casting technique embraced to fabricate specimens. Then the casted specimens were machined and subjected to wear testing to examine the tribological properties through Pin on disc tribometer apparatus. The pin specimens were tested under different sliding conditions. Then the specimens were investigate under the (SEM) which is Scanning electron microscope to study the wear structure that occurred in sliding condition.

Synthesis and properties of Al-AlN-CuCNT and Al-Y2W3O12-CuCNT hybrid composites

The effect of the addition of various amounts (1, 2 and 4 wt%) of copper-coated multi walled carbon nanotubes (CuCNT) on the mechanical (hardness, compressive strength and elastic modulus) and thermal (thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion) properties of two sets of aluminium matrix hybrid composites (AMHCs), i.e., Al- 30 wt % AlN and Al-30 wt % Y2W3O12 has been investigated. The CNTs and AMHCs are fabricated using the molecular-level mixing and powder metallurgy route, respectively. The TEM analysis reveals that the CNTs are effectively coated with copper. The SEM characterization reveals that the CuCNTs are uniformly dispersed in the aluminium matrix. Experimental results reveal that the addition of CuCNT into the AMHCs increases the hardness, compressive strength, elastic modulus and thermal conductivity. Dilatometry studies reveal that the thermal stability of both the AMHCs increases with an increase in the amount of CuCNT as well as the number of thermal cycles. The coefficient of thermal expansion also decreases significantly with an increase in the amount of CuCNT in both the AMHCs.

Investigation on mechanical properties of aluminium alloy A356 by reinforcing with TiB2 & WC composites

In this project, Aluminium metal matrix hybrid composites are processed through stir casting methodology. A356 is reinforced with ceramic particle-like Titanium diboride (TiB2) and Tungsten carbide (WC) in varying weight percentages of 92.5% A356 and TiB2 5% WC 2.5% of Sample 1, A356 90% TiB2 5% WC 5% of Sample 2, A356 100% of Sample 3 through stir casting technique. Under the Vickers hardness test, the Sample consisting of 90% A356 + 5% TiB2+ 5% WC exhibited superior results. Under the Tensile test, the Sample of 90% A356 + 5% TiB2 + 5% WC exhibited higher tensile strength when compared with the remaining two Samples. It is because the ceramic reinforcement particulates are harder than the A356 matrix material. Then the fractured Samples were examined under SEM and fracture mechanisms were studied.

Experimental analysis and characterization of Mechanical, Physical properties of Aluminium (Al6061) Metal Matrix composite reinforced with SiC and Al2O3 using Stir casting

Metal matrix is defined as two or more material mixing with each other, In these constituents, one is mainly metal and the other is non-metals such as ceramics, glass and rubber etc. There is a wide scope for metal matrix composites nowadays. Among various metal matrix composites, Aluminium MMC yields good results, when compared with other MMC (metal matrix composite These reinforcements have much higher strength and wear resistance than pure aluminium. Multiple reinforcements in an aluminium metal matrix composite have a lot of potential. The use of metal matrix composites with Al6061 as parent material and infusion of reinforcements like Carbides, Oxides and Borides have resulted in materials with improved mechanical strength and usability. This paper contains the investigation of Mechanical Properties of Aluminium 6061 and Aluminium 6061 reinforced with SiC, Al2O3 particles. In this, we are focusing Al MMC by undergoing various tests such as impact, hardness and tensile tests. In the present work, aluminium matrix hybrid composite of Al6061+ X wt% of Al2O3 + Y wt% of SiC (X = 2.5,5 % and Y = 5,2.5%) was successfully fabricated by stir casting method. The effect of Al2O3 and SiC reinforced in the matrix were investigated through tensile test, impact test, hardness values and SEM analysis (for Morphological characteristics) and the best composition of AMMC matrix was determined.

Static investigation of almond shell particulate reinforced aquilaria agallocha roxb blended epoxy hybrid matrix composite

Nowadays, the use of recyclable, eco-friendly materials in automotive industries are growing due to the environmental concerns in place of synthetic polymers. Natural filler materials are increasingly used to reduce the usage of the polymer matrix and to improve the mechanical, thermal properties of the composite materials. Natural fiber and filler incorporated hybrid composite materials are used in places where the load requirements are low. This study focuses on the use of Almond shell as a particulate reinforcement in the Aquilaria agallocha Roxb reinforced Epoxy composite with different volume fractions. The specimens were fabricated using hand layup process and the mechanical properties were investigated. The results had shown that the composite with 20% v/v Almond shell particulate reinforced composite had shown better mechanical properties. While the Visco elastic properties had shown minor improvement due to the incorporation of natural filler in the hybrid composite material.

Microstructure and Dry Sliding Wear Behaviors of Microwave-Sintered Al-4.4Cu-0.7 Mg-0.6Si-B4C/nGr Hybrid Composites

In recent years, more advanced mechanical and tribological properties have been needed in aluminum matrix composites due to the increasing variety of applications. For this purpose, second-generation aluminum matrix hybrid composites that have two or more different particle reinforcements are being developed today. In this study, in order to improve tribological and microstructural properties, nano-sized graphite and B4C-reinforced Al-4.4Cu-0.7 Mg-0.6Si aluminum alloy hybrid composites were produced. As a sintering method, the microwave sintering technique, which is one of the fast sintering methods, was preferred to prevent and/or minimize the formation of unwanted reaction products. In Al-4.4Cu-0.7 Mg-0.6Si-B4C/nGr hybrid composites, 4 different (3, 6, 9 and 12 wt %) B4C and 1 wt % nGr reinforcements were used. Raw samples, compressed by the one-way cold pressing method under 600 MPa pressure, were sintered in the microwave oven at 550 °C temperature for 60 min. In XRD analyses, whereas any unwanted reaction product (Al4C3, Al3BC, etc.) was not detected, θ-Al2Cu precipitate formations were detected. In hybrid composites where no graphite agglomeration was observed within the matrix, the highest hardness value (103.9 Hv0.05) was determined in the sample containing 6 wt % B4C and the lowest specific wear rate (0.271 × 10–3 mm3/Nm) was determined in the sample containing 12 wt % B4C.

Silicon nanoparticles encapsulated in multifunctional crosslinked nano-silica/carbon hybrid matrix as a high-performance anode for Li-ion batteries

• A novel multifunctional nano-silica/carbon hybrid matrix is designed to encapsulate Si nanoparticles in the coating layer. • The n-SiO 2 /C layer is applied to enhance the conductivity, hold the structural integrity, and provides a higher capacity. • The Si-2@n-SiO 2 /C composites demonstrate ideal cycle stability as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The application of silicon as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries is limited by the huge volumetric expansion and complex synthesis processes. Herein, silicon nanoparticles encapsulated in multifunctional crosslinked nano-silica/carbon hybrid matrix (Si@n-SiO 2 /C) composites are successfully synthesized via simultaneous condensation copolymerization between (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES) and L-ascorbic acid (L-AA). With the introduction of nano-silica, the multifunctional nano-silica/carbon hybrid matrix can significantly maintain structural integrity during the volume change of silicon, provide a higher capacity than the traditional single carbon coating layer and enhance the conductivity of the materials. Correspondingly, the obtained Si-2@n-SiO 2 /C composites display quite outstanding cycle stability and superior structural integrity maintenance, which delivers a capacity of 800.7 mAh g −1 after 300 cycles at the current density of 1 A g −1 . Such a novel coating layer structure design and simultaneous growth of nano-silica/carbon hybrid matrix layer on silicon nanoparticles will provide a simple synthesis strategy for manufacturing high-performance Si-based anode materials.

Effect of Reinforcement, Load and sliding distance on Al-4.5%wt Copper Matrix Hybrid Composites

Aluminum is prospectively a significant material for tribological appliances for the reason that of its less density and superior thermal conductivity. However, aluminium by itself displays deprived tribological properties. Hence, the investigation of the tribological performance of aluminium based composite materials is flattering increasingly significant. Hence in the present research tribological behavior of Al-4.5%wt copper reinforced with varying percentage of zircon sand (2% -8% in increments of 2 %) with and without 2%wt graphite of hybrid composite samples prepared by friction stir casting technique.. To know the allocation of particles and bonding flanked by reinforcement with matrix, microstructure of the composites and base alloy were premeditated by means of “Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy”. The wear loss was computed employing pin on disc apparatus at room temp underneath dry sliding state. The investigation reveals that the wear rate of Al-4.5%wtCu alloy effected by composition, load and speed.

Axial and Radial Compression Behavior of Composite Rocket Launcher Developed by Robotized Filament Winding: Simulation and Experimental Validation.

The principal objective of the work is to compare among carbon-glass filament wound epoxy matrix hybrid composites with a different fiber ratio made by robotized winding processes and optimize the geometry suitable for the Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher. ANSYS based finite element analysis was used to predict the axial as well as radial compression behavior. Experimental samples were developed by a robot-controlled filament winding process that was incorporated with continuous resin impregnation. The experimental samples were evaluated for the corresponding compressional properties. Filament wound tubular composite structures were developed by changing the sequence of stacking of hoop layers and helical layers, and also by changing the angle of wind of the helical layers while keeping the sequence constant. The samples were developed from carbon and glass filaments with different carbon proportions (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and impregnated with epoxy resin. The compressional properties of the tubular composites that were prepared by filament winding were compared with the predicted axial and radial compressional properties from computational modelling using the finite element model. A very high correlation and relatively small prediction error was obtained.

Characteristics and grinding performance evaluation of the high-fraction GNFs/SiCp/6061Al matrix hybrid composites

The poor machinability of the high-fraction SiCp/Al matrix composites is one of the key factors that hinders its application in electronic packaging. In this study, (0−15) wt% GNFs/SiCp/6061Al matrix hybrid composites are prepared by vacuum hot pressing at 590 °C and 50 MPa with the graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) partially replacing SiCp, the microstructure and ground surface properties of the composite and their effects on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composite are studied, and the machining performance is comprehensively evaluated. The results show that the interface of the composite is well-bonded and no Al4C3 products exist. With increasing GNFs content, the GNFs in the composites tend to agglomerate, the density decreases, and the damage to the ground surface and microstructure increases. Compared to the 54.2 wt% SiCp/6061Al matrix composites, the 5 wt% GNFs/48.4 wt% SiCp/6061Al matrix composites have lower strength but better thermal properties, and show lesser damage of the microstructure and lesser attenuation of the mechanical and thermal properties after grinding. However, with the further increase in the GNFs content, the SiCp crack and drop off and GNFs pull out and peel severely, leading to the greater degradation of the properties of the surface of the GNFs/SiCp/6061Al matrix composites.

Microstructure and mechanical behaviors of 6061 Al matrix hybrid composites reinforced with SiC and stainless steel particles

Hybrid aluminum matrix composites are appealing in the aviation, aerospace and automotive industries and have the potential to substitute single reinforced composites due to their enhanced comprehensive properties. In the present work, 6061 Al matrix composite hybrids reinforced with SiC and stainless steel particles were prepared to improve the strength and ductility by the powder metallurgy method. The mechanical properties, fracture behaviors and deformation mechanisms under various aging conditions were investigated by uniaxial tensile tests and microstructural characterizations. The results showed that the composite hybrid reinforced with SiC and stainless steel particles could effectively enhance the ductility without losing strength compared to the composite reinforced with single SiC particles. Under various artificial aging treatments, the mechanical properties of the composites changed, but the stainless steel particles always played a positive role in the composites and did not change the precipitation sequence of the aluminum matrix. The improvement in ductility was mainly attributed to the deformable nature of the reinforcement particles. The load was successfully transferred to the stainless steel particles and resulted in a uniform strain distribution of the hybrid reinforced composites. Conversely, the interfacial fracture caused by high interfacial dislocation pileup during deformation limited the plasticity of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with single SiC particles.

Tensile Behaviour of Jute and Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Hybrid Composites

The fabrication of composites using synthetic fibers such as carbon, glass, aramid, etc is expensive because of higher cost of individual fibers. This requires alternative materials development with less production cost. Naturally available jute and bamboo fiber were used as reinforcement in this present work. Natural fibers are inexpensive as compared to synthetic fibers and has emerged as a renewable and cheaper substitute to synthetic materials such as glass, carbon and aramid, which are used as reinforcements. In this work, the objective was to develop, investigate and analyze the tensile behavior of a composite material using bamboo fiber and jute fiber sandwich type composite. The results were studied and compared with the composite of bamboo fiber with epoxy resin. The experimental results shows that hybrid composites is having significantly greater values as compared to monolithic composites. The primary objective of the present work is to find out the effect of jute fiber on tensile properties of jute and bamboo reinforced hybrid composite.

Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of (GNPs + TiB2)-Reinforced AZ91 Magnesium Matrix Hybrid Composites Produced by Pressure Infiltration Casting Method

Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of (GNPs + TiB2)-Reinforced AZ91 Magnesium Matrix Hybrid Composites Produced by Pressure Infiltration Casting Method

Investigation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Aluminum 7075 Reinforced With Different Weight Percentage of Tungsten Carbide and Cobalt Metal Matrix Hybrid Composites

In this paper an effort has made to develop and characterize Al7075 alloy reinforced with Tungsten carbide (WC) & Cobalt (Co). For uniform grain size and homogeneity of the reinforcements with matrix, Cermets (WC-Co) of grain size 50 microns were prepared with the help of ball milling operation. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the microstructure; mechanical properties like hardness test & tensile test as per the standards for different weight percentages of Cermets like 3, 6 and 9wt. %. Micrographs were studied to know the micro structure of the composite material and the result showed the, randomly dispersed reinforcement particles & fine interdendritic precipitates were seen. A comparative study was conducted for the microstructure and mechanical properties by using Cermets with varied weight percentages reinforced with Al7075 matrix. Mechanical properties results reveal that there is a considerable improvement in tensile strength and hardness as the percentage of Cermet increased from 3 to 9wt. %.

Experimental investigations on Mechanical and Tribological behaviour of A356 with x wt% Boron Carbide and Fly Ash Hybrid Composites

The current research work aims to analyse the behaviour of mechanical and tribological characteristics of stir cum squeeze cast A356 with Boron Carbide(B4C) and Fly ash (FA) Metal Matrix Hybrid Composites (MMHC’s) on hardness, wear rate and friction coefficient. Experiments were carried out through stir cum squeeze casting method by keeping the influenced process parameters constant and varying three different equal weight percentage (2.5, 5, 7.5wt%) of B4C and FA with A356 alloy. Each prepared composite samples were tested for hardness and also, wear and friction characteristics were accomplished in a pin on disc tribometer apparatus. The wear and friction characteristics were obtained by varying the load of 10,20,30,40N with a constant sliding distance of 2500m respectively on the tribometer. Experimental investigation results uncovered that the hardness of A356 with 7.5wt% B4C and 7.5wt% FA MMHC’s was increased with an increment in the weight percentage of B4C and FA. Also, there is an increase in the wear rate and a decrease in friction coefficient with a rise in the load from 10N to 40N. Overall, the wear rate of the MMHC sample was reduced with a higher wt% of B4C and FA. The study reveals that the prepared MMHC’s via stir cum squeeze casting was a suitable component for automobiles.

Effect of short carbon fiber/SiC on tribological properties of aluminium matrix hybrid composites

This research study was carried out to combine the beneficial properties of Silicon Carbide (SiC) and carbon fiber (CF) as reinforcements in the aluminum matrix to develop the composites for automotive and aerospace applications. Powder metallurgy was used to fabricate five samples with different compositions. Optical microscopy was used to visualize the microstructure and the phases of the composite. Linear wear, coefficient of friction, density, and Vickers hardness of the samples were determined and were compared. The sample with 6 wt.% CF and 10 wt.% SiC was found to have the optimal properties for the application. The linear wear was 52.32% less and the hardness was 14.58% more than the base.

Recent developments in Al7075 hybrid composites and study on its microstructure and mechanical characteristics

Hybrid composites are formed by incorporating more than one reinforcement into the parent alloy and these are considered to be one of the significant materials used for aerospace, automobile, defence applications. Even nano hybrid composites are also evolving as materials to be considered with prominence. Aluminum metal matrix hybrid composites especially Al7075 hybrid composites are known for superior strength to weight ratio and good wear resistance, that's why those are considered as most useful materials in the field of mechanical applications. Ease of manufacturing, low cost of production paved the way for aluminum hybrid composites to emerge itself in to one of the potential material for future applications in aerospace, automobile, defence sectors. In order to develop aluminum hybrid composites several reinforcements were been added along with the metal matrix. Reinforcements enhance the mechanical, physical and micro structural characteristics of the hybrid composites. Mechanical properties would get enhance with varied wt % of reinforcements. This article provides an overview on recent developments on aluminum metal matrix hybrid composites.

Investigation and optimization of friction stir welding process parameters of stir cast AA6082/ZrO2/B4C composites

Abstract In the present investigation, aluminium-based alloy (AA6082) is stir-casted with 3 % ZrO2 and 5 % B4C reinforcement particulates to fabricate Aluminium Metal Matrix Hybrid Composites (AMMHCs) which are further friction-stir welded at different welding conditions to develop a welded joint with optimum ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and microhardness. This newly developed AMMHC will find its specific application as bulkhead partitions in the hull of a ship due to its excellent properties, such as lower weight, higher specific strength, superior resistance to wear, and lower thermal expansion coefficient than that of AA6061 and AA5083 composites. The friction-welded butt joints performance of AA6082/3%ZrO2/5%B4C is generally determined by varying the FSW process parameters such as tool rotational speed (TRS), welding speed (WS), axial load (AL), tool tilt angle (TTA), tool pin profile (TPP), shoulder diameter (SD), etc. In the present work, the empirical relationships are established between parameters highly influencing FSW process (TRS, WS, and AL) and their responses (UTS and weld nugget microhardness (WNH)). The desirability approach is employed for predicting the optimal UTS and WNH. The corresponding values of input process parameters are TRS of 1030.95 rpm, WS of 38.5 mm/min, and AL of 5.88 kN. The calculated UTS and WNH for the present investigation are 239.98 MPa and 94.2 HV, respectively, and these values are consistent with the results of validation experiments.