Effect of ZrO2 Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-Zn-Mg Alloy Matrix Composite

Abstract

Aluminum – based metal matrix composite are widely used in industrial applications compared with conventional and unreinforced alloy. The composite materials usually exhibit a higher strength both at elevated and ambient temperature, as well as wear resistance. The production of composite materials which contain different weight percentage of ZrO2 (0.5, 1.5 and 2.5wt %) by stir casting process. The mechanical properties of the base alloy and composite were evaluated by using tensile and hardness tests. The microstructure inspection by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were utilized to study the fracture surface topography. The results represent that the hardness, strength of yield and tensile strength increased with increasing the weight % of ZrO2 to 2.5 % while the elongation decreased. The microstructure inspection by optical microscope shows that the dendrites structure and the particles distribution in matrix without any voids. Furthermore, the grain size refining with the weight percentage of weight reinforcement elevated.