Stir Cast AA 6351/Graphene/TiB₂/Rice Husk Ash composite: Fabrication and assessment of mechanical properties

Abstract

Single composites are replaced by hybrid composites because of their highly efficient properties and easy processing ability. In this research work, the stir casting process has been used for the fabrication of an Aluminium 6351 metal matrix composite. The TiB2, Graphene and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) have been used as reinforcements. The various mechanical (hardness, impact, flexural, tensile) and surface (SEM, EDS, XRD) characterization have been carried out. The different samples with varying compositions of Graphene (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt.-%), the constant composition of Titanium boride (10 wt.-%) and Rice Husk Ash (2.0 wt.-%) have been fabricated. The maximum values of hardness and energy absorbed were 78.8 HV0.3 and 6 Joule respectively and minimum surface roughness of 0.308 µm have been obtained by doping 1.5 wt.-% Graphene in AA6351. Whereas, the maximum value of flexural and tensile strength was 418.73 and 154.81 MPa for AA6351 having 0.5 wt.-% of Graphene as reinforcement. Moreover, the presence of TiB2, Graphene, and RHA showed their uniform distribution in fabricated composites using surface characterization (such as SEM, EDS and XRD).