Experimental analysis and mechanical characterization of Al 6061/alumina/bagasse ash hybrid reinforced metal matrix composite using vacuum-assisted stir casting method

Abstract

This experimental analysis aimed to fabricate low cost, lightweight metal matrix composite using Al 6061 as matrix material and alumina (Al2O3) and bagasse ash as reinforcing material through stir casting process. In this process one cast of single reinforced composite (Al 6061/5 wt% Al2O3) and three casts of hybrid reinforced composite (Al 6061/5 wt% Al2O3/ 4, 6, 8 wt% bagasse ash) were developed and processed as per ASTM standards followed by mechanical (micro-hardness, ductility, compression, tensile, and impact strength), physical (density and porosity), and microstructure (optical and SEM microscopy) characterization. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness, and compressive strength showed good improvements in the manufactured hybrid reinforced metal matrix composite (HRMMC) in comparison with the single reinforced metal matrix composite (SRMMC). The tensile strength and hardness of developed composite increased continuously with an increase in bagasse ash contents up to 6 wt% having maximum increment of 9.09% (tensile) and 16.5% (hardness) and thereafter both decreased for 8 wt% of bagasse ash, respectively. The results of impact strength and ductility of Al 6061/Al2O3/bagasse ash showed marginal reduction, as the wt% of reinforcements increased. It was found that the density of HRMMC was less than the SRMMC and it decreased with increasing wt% of reinforcements however, the composite contained some porosity percentage (max. value 2.26%), which increased as the wt% of reinforcement increased. The microstructure analysis showed fair distribution with good interface bonding up to 6 wt% bagasse ash.

Microstructural and mechanical characterization of lamb bone ash and boron carbide reinforced ZA-27 hybrid metal matrix composites

“…Brittle nature of reinforcement (LBA and B 4 C) particles performs an essential role in decreasing the impact strength of the composites. Comparable results have also been informed by Chandla et al 28 where bagasse ash and Al 2 O 3 reinforcements were used for fabrication of composites. Bello et al 42 in their study reported the decrease in impact strength of composites reinforced with coconut shell microparticles.…”

“…Particle agglomerates, the presence of voids, clusters, and rise in porosity decreases the hardness of the composites. 23,28 Compressive strength. Compressive behaviour of the single and hybrid-reinforced composites along with the base alloy are shown in Figure 10.…”

“…Agro-industrial waste and synthetic ceramic reinforcements, when incorporated to form composites, changes the behaviour of the ductile matrix. 28 Folorunso and Owoeye 9 found that ductility of ZA-27 alloy reinforced with quarry dust (QD) and SiC particles decreased compared to the unreinforced alloy. Debonding of reinforcement particles from clusters in the matrix increases the sites for stress concentration.…”

Influence of agro-based reinforcements on the properties of aluminum matrix composites: a systematic review

“…Their presence makes SCB an ultimate material as a reinforcement fiber in the development of new material with exceptional physical and chemical properties [70,71]. Chandla et al, [72] reinforced varying content of bagasse ash in Al6061/5wt% Al 2 O 3 based composites via stir casting technique and observed an increase in hardness as well as the tensile strength of the composites with increasing bagasse ash content.…”

Sustainability of multifaceted usage of biomass: A review

“…The development MMCs were characterized to indicate improvement of properties over un-reinforced alloy. Chandla et al. (2020) Groundnut shell ash (GSA) 17.6 5.93 3.43 9.89 9.79 18.3 0.22 4.85 0.08 Stir casting Al 6063 alloy was reinforced GSA at 3, 6, 9, 12 wt.% of the ash.…”