Microstructure and mechanical properties of fly ash particle reinforced AA6061 composites produced by press and extrusion

Abstract

AA6061-fly ash particle composites were fabricated using cold pressing followed by hot extrusion. Composites containing 2, 6 and 10 wt.% fly ash particles were fabricated. Matrix alloy samples without fly ash content were also prepared for comparison. Optical microscopy, Xray diffractrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy were adopted for characterizing the composites. Uniform distribution of fly ash particles was observed in composites. Hardness and tensile strength of the 2 wt.% fly ash composite were found to be better compared to the monolithic alloy after age-hardening. However, further increase of fly ash content resulted in poor agehardening due to the depletion of Mg from the alloy matrix and transfer to the fly ash interface, which was confirmed by EDX analysis.

Thermal stability of nano structured fly ash synthesized by high energy ball milling

“…Among the various reinforcements used, fly ash is one of the most inexpensive and low density reinforcements available in large quantities as solid waste by product from combustion of coal in thermal power plants (Kumar et al, 2009;Sudarshan, 2008;Ramachandra and Radhakrishna, 2007;Mondal et al, 2009;Daoud et al, 2009;Uju and Oguocha, 2009). Fly ash particles are classified into two types, precipitator and cenosphere.…”

Structural, morphological and micromechanical studies on fly ash reinforced PMMA composites

“…Polymer composites play an important role in the preparation of new high performing polymeric materials for special applications (Celik et al 2008;Chand and Vashishtha 2008;Dubey et al 2008;Kumar et al 2009). The Sol Gel process has been used to make the PMMA: fly ash composite, because this technique is the least expensive and best suited for fabrication of a variety of size, shape of composite (Guo and Rohatgi 1998).…”

“…Small amount of the oxides of other common elements such as magnesium and titanium are also present. The phases present were identified by X-ray diffraction as quartz, mullite, lime, spinel, hematite and ferrite (Celik et al 2008;Kumar et al 2009;Guo and Rohatgi 1998).…”

“…The fly ash is one of the most important and inexpensive low density reinforcement available in large quantities as solid waste by product from combustion of coal in thermal power plants (Celik et al 2008;Chand and Vashishtha 2008;Kumar et al 2009;Guo and Rohatgi 1998). Hence the composites reinforced with fly ash are likely to overcome the cost barrier and reduce environmental hazard for the various useful applications.…”

“…Hence the composites reinforced with fly ash are likely to overcome the cost barrier and reduce environmental hazard for the various useful applications. The Mechanical properties of the reinforced composites are affected by the size, shape and weight fraction of the reinforcement (Celik et al 2008;Kumar et al 2009;Guo and Rohatgi 1998).…”