Al6061 Reinforced Al2O3 Metal Matrix Composite Produced by Double Blade Stir Casting

Abstract

Demand for materials with excellent mechanical properties and lightweight increase in a recent year especially for highperformance applications. Aluminum reinforced Al 2 O 3 composite (AMC) provide this superior property. Therefore in this research, aluminum alloy 6061 was used as a matrix and Al 2 O 3 with 10 and 15 Vf-% as a reinforced for making metal matrix composites while magnesium as a wetting agent was used various from 8, 10 to 15 wt-% to improve the wettability between Al and Al 2 O 3 since aluminum was poor wetting with ceramic. Al alloy 6061 was melted at 800 o C and magnesium was added into Al molten, then Al 2 O 3 particles were poured into the melt. The process using double stirrer with a rotational speed of 1000 rpm for 3 minutes to distribute all Al 2 O 3 particles in the Al melt and all the gas bubble formed was removed by flushing an Argon for 2 minutes. The composites produced then characterized both mechanical properties and microstructural analysis. The focus of this research is to investigate the effect of Al 2 O 3 and Mg on the mechanical properties of composites. The result showed that the optimum tensile strength was 202 MPa which was obtained in composite with 10% Vf-% Al 2 O 3 and 10 wt-% Mg. Moreover, hardness and wear resistant to composite increased with the addition of Al 2 O 3 and Mg content due to good wetting in composites with 10 wt-% Mg. The double blade stirrer has contributed to the random distribution of Al 2 O 3 particles in the molten Al. The microstructure observations showed that the composites yield pores and impaired the mechanical properties of composites.

Effect of Fiber Loading and Alkali Treatment on Rice Straw Fiber Reinforced Composite for Automotive Bumper Beam Application

“…This makes the adoption of the natural fibers take a detour by the needs of modifying the fibers for better engagement with the matrix. The aim is to improve the adhesion between the fiber surface and the polymer matrix, as well as increasing fiber strength [5], [8], [18]. The current observed trend for the modification of the natural fiber favors chemical modification (alkaline, silane, permanganate, peroxide, isocyanate, acetylation, acrylonitrile grafting, and malleated coupling treatment) over physical modification [2], [19] and the alkali treatment is one of the most used chemical treatment for natural fibers.…”