Manufacturing of Aluminum Composite Material Using Stir Casting Process

TL;DR

This paper investigates the manufacturing of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with Al2O3 particles using stir casting, focusing on the effects of alloying elements and aging treatments on mechanical properties.

Contribution

It explores the reinforcement of 7xxx series aluminum with Al2O3 particles and analyzes the impact of alloying elements and aging on composite properties.

Findings

Aluminum matrix composites with up to 10% Al2O3 can be effectively manufactured.

Reinforcement improves strength and ductility of the composite.

Aging treatments influence hardness, strength, and ductility.

Abstract

Manufacturing of aluminum alloy based casting composite materials via stir casting is one of the prominent and economical route for development and processing of metal matrix composites materials. Properties of these materials depend upon many processing parameters and selection of matrix and reinforcements. Literature reveals that most of the researchers are using 2, 6 and 7xxx aluminum matrix reinforced with SiC particles for high strength properties whereas, insufficient information is available on reinforcement of "Al2O3" particles in 7xxx aluminum matrix. The 7xxx series aluminum matrix usually contains Cu-Zn-Mg. Therefore, the present research was conducted to investigate the effect of elemental metal such as Cu-Zn-Mg in aluminum matrix on mechanical properties of stir casting of aluminum composite materials reinforced with alpha "Al2O3" particles using simple foundry melting alloying and casting route. The age hardening treatments were also applied to study the aging response of the aluminum matrix on strength, ductility and hardness. The experimental results indicate that aluminum matrix cast composite can be manufactured via conventional foundry method giving very good responses to the strength and ductility up to 10% "Al2O3" particles reinforced in aluminum matrix.