An Investigation on the Suitability of Al-Mg Binary Hypo-Eutectic and Eutectic Aluminium Alloys as a Metal Matrix for Polymer Reinforced Composites and Lightweight Applications

Abstract:

This research work reports on the investigation on the suitability of prepared Al-Mg binary alloys of hypo-eutectic and eutectic compositions, for making metal matrix composites for light weight applications. Commercial pure aluminium, and magnesium blocks were used for the purpose of making binary alloys of Al-Mg, with the Mg in weight percentages 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 37%. composition prepared by stir-casting under Argon cover gas. The cast Al-Mg alloys were cut to standard specimens to investigate its microstructure and mechanical properties. Test results revealed that the Vicker’s Hardness Number (VHN) of the alloys increases with the increased weight percentage of Mg and Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) were also increasing with increasing Mg content. The SEM images revealed the presence of micro-voids in alloys of higher Mg contents. The test values indicates the suitability of hypo-eutectic alloys as candidates for metal matrix composites for light weight applications.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 969)
• Pages: 484-489
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.969.484
• Online since: August 2019
• Authors: D. Kumaran, A. Rajadurai, S.P. Sundar Singh Sivam
• Keywords: Al-Mg Binary Alloys, Eutectic, Lightweight, Metal Matrix Composite, Polymer

References

[1] A. Tharumarajah, P. Koltun. Is there an environmental advantage of using magnesium components for light-weighting cars? Journal of Cleaner Production. Vol. 15, Issues 11–12, 2007, Pages 1007–1013.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.05.022

[2] Omran E. Frihy, Ali N. Hassan, Walid R. El Sayed, Moheb M. Iskander, Mohamed Y. Sherif. A review of methods for constructing coastal recreational facilities in Egypt Ecological Engineering, Vol. 27, Issue 1, 31 August 2006, Pages 1-12.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2005.11.001

[3] Han Hao, Sinan Wang, Zongwei Liu, Fuquan Zhao. The impact of stepped fuel economy targets on automaker's light-weighting strategy: The China case. Energy, Vol. 94, 1 January 2016, Pages 755-765.

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.11.051

[4] Xingfu Wang, Zhendong Li, Yingjie Huang, Kun Wang, Xinfu Wang, Fusheng Han. Processing of magnesium foams by weakly corrosive and highly flexible space holder materials. Materials & Design, Vol. 64, December 2014, Pages 324-329.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2014.07.049

[5] Ming Liua, Donald S. Shihb, Catherine Parishc, Andrej Atrensa. The ignition temperature of Mg alloys WE43, AZ31 and AZ91. Corrosion Science. Vol. 54, January 2012, Pages 139–142.

DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2011.09.004

[6] J.L. Murray and, Al-Mg Phase diagram, Metals Handbook Alloy Phase Diagrams. Vol. 3. ASM International publications. 1988; Page. 305.

[7] Y.Lakhtin, Engineering Physical Metallurgy. MIR Publishers, Moscow. 1977, Page. 106.

[8] D. Kumaran, A. Rajadurai and K. Padmanabhan, Design and Fabrication of High Strength, High Modulus Polymer Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites for Light Weight Applications. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 2016, Vol 9(42).

DOI: 10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i42/103304

[9] S. Aravindana, P.V. Raoa, K. Ponappab, Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of AZ91D/SiC composites by two step stir casting process. Journal of Magnesium and Alloys. Vol. 3, Issue 1, March 2015, Pages 52–62.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jma.2014.12.008

[10] ASTM E92 – 82 Standard Test Method for Vickers Hardness of Metallic Materials. (2003).

[11] ASTM E8M – 04 Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials, (2003).

[12] S. SIVAM, S. P. Sundar Singh Sivam, A. Rajasekaran, S. RajendraKumar, K. SathiyaMoorthy & M. Gopal (2019) A study of cooling time, copper reduction and effects of alloying elements on the microstructure and mechanical properties of SG iron casting during machining, Australian Journal of Mechanical Engineering,.

DOI: 10.1080/14484846.2018.1560679

[13] H. Murat Lus, Effect of casting parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of squeeze cast A380 aluminum die cast alloy, Kovove Mater, 2012, Vol. 50, p.243–250.

DOI: 10.4149/km_2012_4_243

[14] David Raja Selvam. J, Robinson Smart. D.S. Dinaharan I, Synthesis and characterization of Al6061-Fly Ashp -SiCp composites by stir casting and compocasting methods, Energy Procedia, 2013, Vol. 34, p.637 – 646.

DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2013.06.795