Manufacturing Aluminum-Based Nanocomposites via Stir-Squeeze Casting Combined with Ultrasonication

Abstract:

This study successfully produced aluminum nanocomposites using a stir-squeeze casting process, both with and without ultrasonication (US) assistance. The matrix material utilized was scrap automobile wheel aluminum alloy (A356), with 1% SiC nano particles, averaging a size of 40 nm, serving as the reinforcement material. A comparison was made by also producing A356 aluminum casts with and without the use of US. The produced casts underwent thorough chemical and mechanical characterization, including optical and scanning microscopy, porosity measurement, hardness measurement, compression and tensile testing, as well as wear testing. Additionally, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted to assess compositions and confirm the presence of SiC nano particles in the aluminum matrix. Porosity levels were slightly higher in the nanocomposite samples compared to pure matrix samples, attributed to the tendency of pore formation due to improper distribution of ceramic particles, resulting in clustering and agglomeration. However, significant reduction in porosity was observed with the application of ultrasonication, effectively breaking up clusters and agglomerations of reinforcement particles. Regarding mechanical properties, the A356+SiC sample with US exhibited the highest hardness (70.8 HRB), tensile strength (163.25 MPa), and compressive strength (387.2 MPa), along with the lowest abrasive wear loss (0.0017 g) among all types of casts produced in this study.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 1131)
• Pages: 21-26
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-dRxpA4
• Online since: November 2024
• Authors: Majid Al-Maharbi*, Ziyad Al-Subhi
• Keywords: Al-Based Composites, Metal-Matrix Composites, Nanocomposites, Stir-Casting, Ultrasonication

References

[1] Kishore, N. and Rao, K. (2016). Mechanical Properties in MMC of Aluminum Alloy (A356/LM25) Matrix and Boron Carbide (B4C) Reinforcement. International Journal of Engineering Research And, V5(02)

DOI: 10.17577/ijertv5is020552

[2] Cui, J. and Roven, H. J. (2010). Recycling of automotive aluminum. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 20(11), 2057–2063.

DOI: 10.1016/s1003-6326(09)60417-9

[3] Kumar, A., Pal, K., & Mula, S. (2017). Simultaneous improvement of mechanical strength, ductility and corrosion resistance of stir cast Al7075-2% SiC micro- and nanocomposites by friction stir processing. Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 30, 1–13.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmapro.2017.09.005

[4] Rajesh, S. (2018). Effect of Processing Parameters on Metal Matrix Composites in Stir Casting Process Using Taguchi Technique. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology, 6(1), 1610–1615.

DOI: 10.22214/ijraset.2018.1248

[5] Sajjadi, S., Ezatpour, H., & Beygi, H. (2011). Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Al2O3 micro and nano composites fabricated by stir casting. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 528(29–30), 8765–8771.

DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2011.08.052

[6] Ramanathan, A., Krishnan, P. K., & Muraliraja, R. (2019). A review on the production of metal matrix composites through stir casting – Furnace design, properties, challenges, and research opportunities. Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 42, 213–245

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmapro.2019.04.017

[7] Krishnan, P. K., Christy, J. V., Arunachalam, R., Mourad, A. H. I., Muraliraja, R., Al-Maharbi, M., Murali, V., & Chandra, M. M. (2019). Production of aluminum alloy-based metal matrix composites using scrap aluminum alloy and waste materials: Influence on microstructure and mechanical properties. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 784, 1047–1061.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.01.115