Fabrication and Characterization of Al 4032 Alloy Based Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

Globalization has resulted in a highly competitive production environment. Now, the industries do not just focus on productivity, but also are required to produce better quality product. Composites are multifunctional material systems that provide characteristics different from any discrete material. Metal matrix composites MMCs consist of two phases i.e. matrix and reinforcement. The metals or alloys act as the matrix. Their main function is to transfer and distribute the load to the reinforcements. MMCs generally make use of non ferrous metals such as Al, Cu, Mg, Ti, etc. as the matrix and different kinds of reinforcement to improve mechanical, tribological, and corrosive properties. The development in this area appears to have come from the need for light weight and high strength metallic materials to meet the demands of the space and aerospace sectors after 1960. newline newlineAluminium and its alloys are quite popular in production of complex and light weight components for its remarkable strength, low density, good cast ability, and high corrosion resistance. The application of these materials is very wide across various sectors such as automobile, aeronautics, sports industries etc. The Aluminium based metal matrix composites AMCs have wide significance in research as well as industrial applications. Material scientists have always been after the development of better materials with improved properties to suit engineering applications. newline newline