Development of alumina reinforced aluminum metal matrix composite with enhanced compressive strength through squeeze casting process

R. Muraliraja, R. Arunachalam*, Ibrahim Al-Fori, Majid Al-Maharbi, Sujan Piya

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aluminum metal matrix composites, which exhibit significantly high compressive strength, were produced through the squeeze casting process using aluminum 7075 alloy as the matrix material and 2.5 wt% alumina as reinforcement. The process parameters of squeeze casting were prudently selected based on the literature in order to obtain better mechanical properties such as compressive strength and hardness. Samples were examined using an optical microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, a scanning electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The optical micrograph showed low porosity in the produced composite, which matched the porosity measured using the Archimedes principle. The scanning electron microscope showed uniform distribution of reinforcement in the grain boundaries of the matrix. An X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of Al 2 O 3 particles in the composite. The hardness of the composite improved from 44 to 59 HRB. The compressive strength of the composite improved significantly with the addition of alumina reinforcement to 587 MPa when compared to Al 7075 alloy as well as other aluminum metal matrix composites reported in the literature.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)307-314
Number of pages8
JournalProceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part L: Journal of Materials: Design and Applications
Volume233
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 1 2019

Keywords

  • Aluminum composite
  • alumina
  • characterization
  • mechanical properties
  • porosity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering

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