Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Ceramic Reinforced Aluminium-7029 Hybrid Composite

Abstract

Composites are often chosen for structural applications because they have tailored material properties. The production of hybrid metal matrix composites has become a major research area in materials science. With this interest, present paper deals with fabrication of aluminium alloy (Al-7029), boron carbide (B4C) and graphite (Gr) hybrid composite using conventional stir casting is investigated. Evaluation of mechanical properties such as tensile hardness and impact strength of base alloy with reinforcement [B4C (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%) with constant 2% Gr] was performed on the samples. After solidification, the samples are prepared according to ASTM standards and tested to find the various mechanical properties like tensile, hardness and impact. It was observed that the hybrid composite tensile strength was increased, with decrease in elongation rate of unreinforced aluminium alloy. The impact strength and hardness property for a hybrid composite was increased compared to base alloy. The composite's microstructure was studied using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).