Stir casting studies on aluminium (Al8011) and zirconia (ZrO2) metal matrix composites

Ramesh Kumar D; Elangovan D

doi:10.34256/famr2416

Ramesh Kumar D Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adithya Institute of Technology, Coimbatore-641107, India
Elangovan D Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore-641062, India

Keywords: Stir casting, Wear test, Tensile test, Hardness test, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Abstract

This study investigates the properties of Aluminium (Al8011) and Zirconia (ZrO₂) metal matrix composites (MMCs) fabricated through stir casting, which is a common technique used to produce MMCs. Al8011 was used as the matrix material whilst ZrO₂, a ceramic material, was used as the reinforcement. The composites were developed with varying weight percentages of ZrO₂ (4, 8 and 12 wt%) and were analysed using tensile, wear and hardness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and hardness testing. The findings show that as the percentage of ZrO₂ increased in the composites, the density and hardness significantly increased. SEM results revealed that the distribution of ZrO₂ was homogenous throughout the matrix, indicating the method of stirring was effective in improving particle dispersion. Overall, the study concluded that MMCs with high percentage of ZrO₂ has the potential to enhance mechanical and physical properties whilst maintaining insignificant level of porosity. However, future research is needed to address the impurities identified in this study.

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