Reinforced Aluminum Research Articles

Investigating the Tribological Behavior of Bioinspired Surfaces in Agro-waste and Alumina Reinforced AA6063 Matrix Composites

The tribological behavior of three bioinspired (BI) agro-waste ashes—bean pod ash (BPA), cassava peel ash (CPA), and coconut husk ash (CHA)—integrated as reinforcements in an alumina-reinforced AA6063 matrix hybrid and monolithic composite was investigated. Studies utilizing agro-wastes for bioinspired surfaces are limited despite these wastes posing significant environmental challenges. Consequently, there has been a growing effort to valorize these residues for sustainable engineering applications. This study uses a two-step stir-casting methodology to engineer bioinspired materials with lightweight properties, exceptional hardness, and wear-resistant characteristics. Microstructural investigations revealed a homogeneous distribution of natural and synthetic reinforcements within the AA6063 matrix. Lightweight AMCs were successfully fabricated, exhibiting densities ranging from 2.57 to 2.74 g/cm³ and hardness values between 81.28 and 107.47 BHN. The average surface roughness of these composites varied from 2.4 to 3.4 μm, with ANOVA tests confirming a statistically significant difference (p < 0.005). Wear rates and the coefficient of friction were observed to range from 2.52 x 10-3 to 5.50 x 10-3 mm³/m and 0.2476 to 0.5403, respectively. Reinforcing the AA6063 alloy with bioinspired agro-wastes significantly enhanced the hardness and tribological performance of the as-cast BI-AMCs. Notably, the wear rates and friction coefficients were significantly reduced, with the monolithic BI-AMCs demonstrating superior results. Furthermore, adding bioinspired agro-wastes, such as BPA, CPA, and CHA, improved the surface texture of AA6063 more effectively than Al2O3, leading to slightly smoother surfaces. These nuanced bioinspired tribological behaviors present opportunities for tailored load-bearing and aesthetic applications derived from agro-waste-based composites. This study advances our understanding of bioinspired tribological phenomena and paves the way for the development of innovative materials with diverse applications and enhanced performance.

Tribological Performance of Additive Manufactured PLA-Based Parts.

Polymer additive manufacturing has advanced from prototyping to producing essential parts with improved precision and versatility. Despite challenges like surface finish and wear resistance, new materials and metallic reinforcements in polymers have expanded its applications, enabling stronger, more durable parts for demanding industries like aerospace and structural engineering. This research investigates the tribological behaviour of FFF surfaces by integrating copper and aluminium reinforcement particles into a PLA (polylactic acid) matrix. Pin-on-disc tests were conducted to evaluate friction coefficients and wear rates. Statistical analysis was performed to study the correlation of the main process variables. The results confirmed that reinforced materials offer interesting characteristics despite their complex use, with the roughness of the fabricated parts increasing by more than 300%. This leads to an increase in the coefficient of friction, which is related to the variation in the material's mechanical properties, as the hardness increases by more than 75% for materials reinforced with Al. Despite this, their performance is more stable, and the volume of material lost due to wear is reduced by half. These results highlight the potential of reinforced polymers to improve the performance and durability of components manufactured through additive processes.

Optimization of structural reinforcement assessment for architectural heritage digital twins based on LiDAR and multi-source remote sensing

This study investigates the geometric modelling of architectural heritage digital twins constructed based on multi-source point cloud data and its effectiveness in structural reinforcement assessment. Particular emphasis has been placed on the use of static stiffness rules to identify areas of structural weakness in the geometric models of digital twins and the need for their reinforcement, in order to prevent potential structural problems and to ensure the long-term preservation of the built heritage. Taking Yingxian wooden pagoda as a study case, based on the collection of multi-source point cloud data, the digital twin geometric model is constructed through fine modelling, decoupling of digital models, and geometric transformation. This enhances the true reflection of the column-architrave structure morphology, providing a more accurate model for structural stress analysis. Based on verifying the accuracy of the digital twin geometric model, the instability conditions are identified through static stiffness rules and the deformation values at multiple points are analyzed, enabling precise identification of weak areas in the column-architrave structure. Two types of reinforcement measures are designed and simulated for the structural weak areas identified through the geometric modelling, and the optimal reinforcement scheme is obtained after detailed analysis, according to which specific adjustments and optimization strategies are proposed to enhance the overall stability and durability of the structure. The results showed that the maximum deformation value of 4.65 mm existed in column M2W23, which required reinforcement. Aluminum reinforcement reduced the deformation to 3.5 mm (24.7% reduction), while CFRP fabric reinforcement was more effective, reducing the deformation to 2.8 mm (39.7% reduction), showing high stability. The research results demonstrate the potential application of digital twin technology in architectural heritage preservation and restoration, providing methodological and empirical guidance for heritage preservation research.

Fabrication and Characterization of Rice Husk Ash Reinforced Aluminium Matrix Composite

Fabrication and Characterization of Rice Husk Ash Reinforced Aluminium Matrix Composite

Thermal Conductivity of AlSi12/Al2O3-Graded Composites Consolidated by Hot Pressing and Spark Plasma Sintering: Experimental Evaluation and Numerical Modeling

Functionally graded metal matrix composites have attracted the attention of various industries as materials with tailorable properties due to spatially varying composition of constituents. This research work was inspired by an application, such as automotive brake disks, which requires advanced materials with improved wear resistance on the outer surface as combined with effective heat flux dissipation of the graded system. To this end, graded AlSi12/Al2O3 composites (FGMs) with a stepwise gradient in the volume fraction of alumina reinforcement were produced by hot pressing and spark plasma sintering techniques. The thermal conductivities of the individual composite layers and the FGMs were evaluated experimentally and simulated numerically using 3D finite element (FE) models based on micro-computed X-ray tomography (micro-XCT) images of actual AlSi12/Al2O3 microstructures. The numerical models incorporated the effects of porosity of the fabricated AlSi12/Al2O3 composites, thermal resistance, and imperfect interfaces between the AlSi12 matrix and the alumina particles. The obtained experimental data and the results of the numerical models are in good agreement, the relative error being in the range of 4 to 6 pct for different compositions and FGM structure. The predictive capability of the proposed micro-XCT-based FE model suggests that this model can be applied to similar types of composites and different composition gradients.

Image Analysis Techniques Applied in the Drilling of a Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer and Aluminium Multi-Material to Assess the Delamination Damage

Due to the high abrasiveness and anisotropic nature of composites, along with the need to machine different materials at the same time, drilling multi-materials is a difficult task, and usually results in material damage, such as uncut fibres and delamination, hindering hole functionality and reliability. Image processing and analysis algorithms can be developed to effectively assess such damage, allowing for the calculation of delamination factors essential to the quality control of hole inspection in composite materials. In this study, a digital image processing and analysis algorithm was developed in Python to perform the delamination evaluation of drilled holes on a carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and aluminium (Al) multi-material. This algorithm was designed to overcome several limitations often found in other algorithms developed with similar purposes, which frequently lead to user mistakes and incorrect results. The new algorithm is easy to use and, without requiring manual pre-editing of the input images, is fully automatic, provides more complete and reliable results (such as the delamination factor), and is a free-of-charge software. For example, the delamination factors of two drilled holes were calculated using the new algorithm and one previously developed in Matlab. Using the previous Matlab algorithm, the delamination factors of the two holes were 1.380 and 2.563, respectively, and using the new Python algorithm, the results were equal to 3.957 and 3.383, respectively. The Python results were more trustworthy, as the first hole had a higher delamination area, so its factor should be higher than that of the second one.

Effect of Short Heat Treatments on the Microstructural Evolution and Hardness of Thixoformed Graphene Reinforced Aluminium Composites

Aluminium metal matrix composites are increasingly being used in numerous industries due to their lightweight nature and high strength. The incorporation of graphene into aluminium metal matrix composites has garnered significant interest owing to graphene's capacity to enhance numerous properties concurrently. Hence, this study aimed to fabricate a 0.3 wt.% graphene nanoplatelets reinforced A356 alloy (GNP-A356) composite through stir casting followed by thixoforming and short T6 heat treatment processes. It also evaluated the microstructure and mechanical properties of GNP-A356 after the thixoforming process and short T6 heat treatment. The microstructure of alloy and composite was confirmed by optical microstructure, field emission scanning electron microscopy images, and X-ray diffraction. Microstructure investigations demonstrate the impact of the stirring process on the structural transformation of the 𝛼-Al phase from the dendritic into a rosette-like and globular-like structure. The result also indicated that there was a transformation of eutectic silicon from the shape of a needle-like to spheroid structure after a short heat treatment, showing the efficiency of T6 heat treatment with a shorter time of solution treatment and ageing. Moreover, the increase in relative density and addition of reinforcement led to a significant increment in hardness. The result shows the hardness improved by 35.77% and 77.8% for as-cast and heat-treated composites, respectively, compared to A356 alloy.

Evaluation of Elastic Properties of Graphene Nanoplatelet Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposites

Evaluation of Elastic Properties of Graphene Nanoplatelet Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposites

Comparative Analysis of Microscale and Nanoscale Alumina Reinforcement in Al-Cu-Mg-Al2O3 Composites: Impacts on Density, Porosity, and Hardness

Comparative Analysis of Microscale and Nanoscale Alumina Reinforcement in Al-Cu-Mg-Al2O3 Composites: Impacts on Density, Porosity, and Hardness

Retracted: Investigation on Inorganic Salts K2TiF6 and KBF4 to Develop Nanoparticles Based TiB2 Reinforcement Aluminium Composites.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/8559402.].

Influence of Green Plantain Peel Ash and Alumina Reinforcement on the Physio-Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Matrix Hybrid Composites

Hybrid composites are gaining increasing interest in the development of aluminium metal matrix (AMCs) for various industrial applications owing to their ability to integrate multiple functionalities within a single material matrix with enhanced physio-mechanical properties as opposed to single-fibre reinforced composites. Green plantain peel ash (GPPA) is an agricultural waste with potential for reinforcement purposes. However, no study has investigated GPPA natural filler as a reinforcement for AMCs. This study, therefore, aims at assessing the influence of variations in GPPA particles and alumina as reinforcements in the fabrication of hybrid composites using Al-Mg-Si alloy as a matrix. This study also reassessed the chemical composition of the GPPA particles and investigated their mechanical properties. However, enhanced mechanical properties, including hardness, tensile strength, and ductility, were observed at varying weight ratios. Results obtained in this study suggest a promising potential application of GPPA particulates as complementing reinforcements in the production of lightweight, strong, and high-performance AMCs well-suited for engineering, aerospace, construction, and packaging applications.

Characterization of Born Carbide and Rice Husk Ash Reinforced Aluminum Alloy Composites

Abstract The remarkable characteristics of aluminum alloys, like their hardness, strength-to-weight ratio, fatigue, corrosion resistance, play a decisive role in the aeronautical and automotive industries. However, scientists are on the lookout for substantial advancements in the wear resistance of the composites under varied service situations. This investigation focuses on the characteristics of hybrid metal matrix composites with regards to optical, physical, mechanical, tribological, and corrosion behavior of ADC12 alloy reinforced by born carbide and rice husk ash (RHA) particulates. The liquid metallurgy process with the stir casting technique was used to produce the hybrid composites, which were then compared to monolithic materials. In the fabrication, reinforcement RHA was added from 0 to 12 % while maintaining a born carbide content of 5 %. Following ASTM standards, the resulting composites were put through optical, several physical, mechanical, wear, and corrosion testing. The experimental findings were then analyzed. With a rise in the amount of reinforcement in the base alloy, physical and mechanical characteristics greatly improved, whereas the percentage of elongation was seen to decline. The effects of exposure time were studied on the hybrid composites on corrosion behavior in acidic environments. The composites are exposed to the hydrochloric acid solution, and weight loss over various periods, from 12 to 72 h, is measured in steps of 12 h. It was discovered that the corrosion resistance increased as the reinforcing content increased. By using a pin-on-disc apparatus, the wear tests were conducted, and the outcomes indicated the composites’ superior wear resistance. Composites with a higher percentage of reinforcement displayed superior characteristics. Following the tensile testing, broken surfaces, wear, and corrosion morphology are examined in scanning electron microscope images. The research findings are thoroughly examined, and careful interpretations have been made.

The Interplay of Thermal Gradient and Laser Process Parameters on the Mechanical Properties, Geometrical and Microstructural Characteristics of Laser-Cladded Titanium (Ti6Al4V) Alloy Composite Coatings

With the development of laser surface modification techniques like direct laser metal deposition (DLMD), titanium alloy (TI6Al4V) may now have its entire base metal microstructure preserved while having its surface modified to have better characteristics. Numerous surface issues in the aerospace industry can be resolved using this method without changing the titanium alloy’s primary microstructure. As a result, titanium alloy is now more widely used in sectors outside of aerospace and automotive. This is made possible by fabricating metal composite coatings on titanium alloys using the same DLMD method. Any component can be repaired using this method, thereby extending the component’s life. The experimental process was carried out utilizing a 3000 W Ytterbium Laser System at the National Laser Centre of the CSIR in South Africa. Through the use of a laser system, AlCuTi/Ti6Al4V was created. The characterization of the materials for grinding and polishing was performed according to standard methods. There is a substantial correlation between the reinforcement feed rate, scan speed, and laser power components. Due to the significant role that aluminum reinforcement played and the presence of aluminum in the base metal structure, Ti-Al structures were also created. The reaction and solidification of the copper and aluminum reinforcements in the melt pool produced the dendritic phases visible in the microstructures. Compared to the base alloy, the microhardness’s highest value of 1117.2 HV1.0 is equivalent to a 69.1% enhancement in the hardness of the composite coatings. The enhanced hardness property is linked to the dendritic phases formed in the microstructures as a result of optimized process parameters. Tensile strengths of laser-clad ternary coatings also improved by 23%, 46.2%, 13.1%, 70%, 34.3%, and 51.7% when compared to titanium alloy substrates. The yield strengths of laser-clad ternary coatings improved by 19%, 46.7%, 12.9%, 69.3%, 34.7%, and 52.1% when compared to the titanium alloy substrate.

An Investigation on The Mechanical Properties of FSP Processed Silicon Nitride Reinforced Aluminum Composite

An Investigation on The Mechanical Properties of FSP Processed Silicon Nitride Reinforced Aluminum Composite

Mechanical Properties of Nano SiC Reinforced Aluminum 7075-T6 Produced by Warm Powder Compaction using an Inert Gas

The micron-sized Al7075powder reinforced with nano-sized SiC particles is compacted at 4000C in an inert atmosphere using Nitrogen. It is shown that this technique can significantly improve the mechanical properties of the compacted powder characterized by measuring hardness, stress-strain curves and density. The maximum relative density was %98.8 and obtained for 2.3 GPa pressure and 0%SiC content. The minimum density was %93.95 and was obtained for 10%SiC content and 1.3 GPa pressure. The degree of porosity and the number and size of the void decreased as the compaction pressure increased and increased with the increase of SiC volume fraction. The maximum increase in ultimate strength was about 72% and occurred for the 5%SiC content and the 1.3 GPa compaction pressure. For 10%SiC volume fraction the strength improved by 53% for 2.6 GPa pressure. The effect of SiC content on ultimate strength was significantly higher than that of the compaction pressure. The maximum increase in Vickers hardness of the compacts was 100% and obtained for the samples with 10%SiC volume fraction and compacted at 2.6 GPa pressure. Again, the effect of SiC volume fraction on hardness improvement was found to be remarkably greater than that of compaction pressure.

Influence of tool rotational speed on mechanical and corrosion behaviour of friction stir processed AZ31/Al2O3 nanocomposite

Nano-sized reinforcements improved the mechanical characteristics efficiently by promoting more implicit particle hardening mechanisms compared to micron-sized reinforcements. Nano-sized particles lessen the critical particle solidification velocity for swamp and thus offers better dispersal. In the present investigation, the friction stir processing (FSP) is utilized to produce AZ31/Al2O3 nanocomposites at various tool rotation speeds (i.e., 900, 1200, and 1500 rpm) with an optimized 1.5% volume alumina (Al2O3) reinforcement ratio. The mechanical and corrosion behavior of AZ31/Al2O3-developed nanocomposites was investigated and compared with that of the AZ31 base alloy. The AZ31 alloy experienced a comprehensive dynamic recrystallization during FSP, causing substantial grain refinement. Grain-size strengthening is the primary factor contributed to the enhancement in the strength of the fabricated nanocomposite. Tensile strength and yield strength values were lower than those for the base metal matrix, although an upward trend in both values has been observed with an increase in tool rotation speed. An 19.72% increase in hardness along with superior corrosion resistance was achieved compared to the base alloy at a tool rotational speed of 1500 rpm. The corrosion currents (Jcorr) of all samples dropped with increase in the rotational speed, in contrast to the corrosion potentials (Ecorr), which increased. The values of Jcorr of AZ31/Al2O3 were 42.3%, 56.8%, and 65.5% lower than those of AZ31 alloy at the chosen rotating speeds of 900, 1200, and 1500 rpm, respectively. The corrosion behavior of friction stir processed nanocomposites have been addressed in this manuscript which has not been given sufficient attention in the existing literature. Further, this work offers an effective choice for the quality assurance of the FSP process of AZ31/Al2O3 nanocomposites. The obtained results are relevant to the development of lightweight automobile and aerospace structures and components.

Characterization of composite material specimens manufactured in 3D printing for the construction of a shoulder Rehabilitation Prototype

The present work seeks to characterize polymer specimens with aluminum and stainless steel reinforcements, using additive manufacturing for their elaboration and thus increase their tensile strength and implement them for industrial, medical and automotive use. The methodology to follow consists of a documentary investigation of related articles and standards such as ASTM D638, where the tensile properties of plastics are specified, continuing with the manufacture of the test tubes in a 3D printer, this according to the corresponding standard., to later carry out stress tests on the universal machine. The contribution of the work developed lies in the increase in the tensile strength of the composite material experienced, resulting for a first test tube an increase of 52.4% in the maximum tensile strength with an aluminum reinforcement, and an increase of 59.1%, this with a steel reinforcement, in the second specimen submitted to tests with aluminum reinforcement an increase of 20.04% was obtained and with the steel reinforcement it was 84.54%.

Behavior of Reinforced Gypseous Soil Embankment Model under Cyclic Loading

The construction of embankment for roadway interchange system at urban area is restricted due to the large geometry requirements, since the value of land required for such construction is high, and the area available is limited as compared to rural area. One of the optimum solutions to such problem is the earth reinforcement technique which requires a limited area for embankment construction. Gypseous soil from Al-Anbar governorate area was obtained and subjected to various physical and chemical analysis to determine it is properties. A laboratory model box of 50x50x25 cm was used as a representative embankment; soil has been compacted in five layers at maximum dry density (modified compaction) and an aluminum reinforcement strips were introduced between layers. The model was subjected to cyclic loading and the vertical and lateral deformations were detected at different stages of loading cycles using LVDT. The reinforced soil embankment under soaking condition exhibited vertical settlement at the top surface was (12.55 mm) while the lateral displacements at (1st, 3rd layer) were (2.18, 1.32) mm respectively at (47 load cycles).For reinforced gypseous soil, embankment without soaking cured for 24 hours, the Number of load cycles was found to be (165) loading cycles with vertical displacement (9.12 mm), that means an improvement of 59%. Accordingly, the lateral displacement in 1st and 3rd layers were (3.28, 2.59) mm respectively which observes improvement by (28% and 5%) respectively. The rates of improvement are taken with respect to the reinforced pure dry soil sample.

Sintering and Characterization of Alumina Reinforced Tungsten Carbide Cobalt Composite

This paper is aimed at investigating the mechanical properties of spark plasma sintered alumina (Al2O3) reinforced with tungsten-carbide-cobalt (WC-12wt%Co). Pure Al2O3 and admixed-Al2O3 powders were sintered using spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique at a temperature of 1800°C, heating and cooling rates of 100 °C/min and 200 °C/min, a pressure of 48 MPa in an argon atmosphere. The density, hardness (HV) and indentation fracture toughness (KIC) of the sintered samples were measured and compared. Between 9 and 17% increase was observed in the HV values of the additives, while the KIC value recorded an increase between 17 and 63% for all the additive as compared to pure Al. Phase analysis and identification was carried out with X-ray diffraction and microstructure was taken with scanning electron microscope. The results obtained showed the samples potential for cutting tool applications.

Low-Velocity Impact Resistance of Glass Laminate Aluminium Reinforced Epoxy (GLARE) Composite

This study intends to determine the behavior of glass laminate aluminum-reinforced epoxy (GLARE) and glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites under a low-velocity impact test. Experimental tests and numerical simulations are considered for this investigation. All samples are made by the hand lay-up method. Moreover, specimens are produced with a 7075-T6 aluminium sheet with a 0.5 mm thickness, resin 3001, and E-glass fiber. The drop weight test performs the low-velocity impact at 6.7 J and 10 J impact energy levels and the heights of 1.0 m and 1.5 m. Numerical simulation is also conducted by ANSYS software to compare the results obtained by the experimental tests. Generally, results show that maximum deflections of the GLARE samples are significantly lower as compared to GFRP ones by 87% and 83.5% for 1.0 m and 1.5 m drop heights, respectively. Experimental results demonstrate that although aluminum sheets prevent damage to the fibers in GFRP, delamination and fractures between layers are observed in GFRP samples. An appropriate agreement is also obtained between the FE results and experimental data.