Fabrication, characterization and optimal selection of aluminium alloy 8011 composites reinforced with B ₄ C-aloe vera ash

Abstract

This research focuses on the micro-structure and mechanical character- ization of aluminium alloy 8011 that contains aloe vera ash (AVA) and boron car- bide particles (B4C). Reinforcement particles were varied ranged from 0 to 6% and manufactured by stir casting technique. Scanning electron microscope imaging with energy-dispersive spectroscope was performed on the fabricated composites to confirm the presence of reinforcements, and the images revealed a uniform distribution of re- inforcements in the matrix. Hardness, density, impact strength, and tensile strength tests were performed on the developed composites to investigate the mechanical be- haviour of composites. According to the findings, increasing the weight percentages of reinforcement increased hardness and tensile strength while the density and impact strength decreases. The results show that the mechanical behaviour of the reinforced composites are significantly better than those of the unreinforced alloy. The present paper also investigates the application of multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodological approaches to select the best option. The weighted product model (WPM), weighted sum model (WSM) & Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE-II) methods provide a ranking of the available alternatives; thereby, decision making in critical thinking becomes easier. In addition, the collected data is analysed on Minitab using a regression analysis statistical test.