Investigation of the mechanical properties of a squeeze-cast LM6 aluminium alloy reinforced with a zinc-coated steel-wire mesh

Abstract

Composites of an LM6 aluminium alloy reinforced with a zinc-coated steel-wire mesh were prepared with squeeze casting. Three different orientations of 0, 45and 90of the zinc-coated steel-wire mesh were used with the aluminium alloy. The microstructures of the castings were analysed and the hardness, tensile strength and ductility were investigated. The fracture surfaces of the matrix and the composites were examined using a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The results revealed that the hardness of the composites increased compared to the matrix. Also, the tensile strength of the composites increased with the increasing angle of orientation. The tensile strength increased by up to 11 % for the composite with a steel-wire mesh at the 90orientation. However, the ductility of the composites decreased due to the presence of micropores at the interface of aluminium and the steel-wire mesh. Micrographs of fracture surfaces showed a dimple formation in the matrix and a wire pull-out; a broken wire was observed in the composites.