Investigations of mechanical and wear behaviour of aa8011 fly ash composites

Abstract

In recent years, metal matrix composites have drawn the attention in engineering materials due to their superior mechanical properties than the conventional materials. The selection of material for specific demand necessitates the development of composites. In general, metal matrix composites possess high strength, low weight and improved wear resistance than the monolithic materials. The aluminium matrix composites have been a general devotion for researchers owing to its superior characteristics. Particulate reinforced aluminium matrix composites have recently become a major focus of attention in the automotive industry, defense, aerospace and many other engineering fields. In this research, an effort has been made to prepare aluminium (8011) Metal Matrix composites reinforced with various composition of fly ash particulates using stir casting method. The formation of fly ash particles enhances the mechanical and the wear properties of the aluminium matrix composites. Aluminium alloy 8011matrix is reinforced with4, 8, 12 and 13 wt.% of fly ash particles. These composites have ben characterized for their mechanical properties such as density, hardness, tensile, compressive, impact and flexural strength. The maximum content was limited to 12 wt.% due to excessive formation of slag during the casting process. Further agglomeration of fly ash particles was observed for composites containing 13 wt.% of fly ash. newline