Numerical and experimental investigation of the mechanical properties of MWCNT/RHA reinforced AlP0507-based hybrid aluminum metal matrix composites

Figures & data

Figure 1. Experimental procedure for mechanical properties tests (a) Melting of AlP0507, (b) Stirring of preheated MWCNT and RHA in molten AlP0507, and (c) Sample of fabricated composite.

Figure 2. Standard tensile test specimen dimensions (in mm) (a) Tensile test specimen, (b) Impact test specimen, and (c) Hardness test specimen.

Table 1. Mechanical properties of AlP0507, MWCNT, and RHA.

Materials	Young’s modulus (GPa)	Poisson ratio	Density (g/cm^3)	Tensile strength
MWCNT	270	0.16	2.1	62 GPa
RHA	215	0.15	1.8	3.5 MPa
Al P0507	70	0.33	2.7	90 MPa

Figure 3. A photographic image of RVE (a) RVE generation of RHA/MWCNTs reinforced AMMCs and (b) Mesh view of RVE model.

Figure 4. FESEM image of raw materials (a) RHA and (b) as-received MWCNTs.

Figure 5. Microstructural view of (a) MWCNT reinforced AlP0507 composite specimens; (b) MWCNT/RHA reinforced AlP0507 hybrid composite specimens.

Figure 6. EDX pattern of specimens (a) MWCNT reinforced AlP0507 composite specimens; (b) MWCNT/RHA reinforced AlP0507 hybrid composite specimens.

Table 2. Tensile strength, toughness/impact strength, and hardness of MWCNT/RHA reinforced AlP0507 composite specimens.

Sample designation	Test specimens	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Vicker Hardness (HV)	Impact Test (J/Cm^2)
G1	Al with 2% RHA	93	37	165
G2	Al with 4% RHA	96	43	175
G3	Al with 6% RHA	98	41	195
G4	Al with 8% RHA	92	39	160
G5	Al with 1% MWCNT	139	51	230
G6	Al with 2% MWCNT	147	53	245
G7	Al with 3% MWCNT	155	56	240
G8	Al with 6% RHA/1% MWCNT	119	47	190
G9	Al with 6% RHA/2% MWCNT	131	50	200
G10	Al with 6% RHA/3% MWCNT	127	46	180

Table 3. Young’s modulus of MWCNT/RHA reinforced AlP0507 composite specimens.

	Sample designation
	G1	G2	G3	G4	G5	G6	G7	G8	G9	G10
Young’s modulus (MPa)	191.73	199.35	206.98	214.61	193.04	201.98	210.93	215.92	224.87	233.81

Figure 7. Tensile strength test specimens with corresponding sample designation.

Figure 8. Tensile strength of MWCNT/RHA reinforced AlP0507 hybrid composite and composite for various types of reinforcements and concentrations.

Figure 9. Impact energy of MWCNT/RHA reinforced AlP0507 hybrid composite and composite for various types of reinforcements and concentrations.

Figure 10. Impact properties test specimens with corresponding sample designation.

Figure 11. Hardness of MWCNT/RHA reinforced AlP0507 hybrid composite and composite for various types of reinforcements and concentrations.

Figure 12. Hardness properties test specimens with corresponding sample designation.

Figure 13. Comparison between simulation and experimental results: composite and hybrid composite at different concentrations.

Figure 14. Strain, Stress, and deformation distributions of RVE model concerning MWCNT/RHA distribution (a) Equivalent von Mises stress distribution, (b) Total strain distribution, and (c) Deformation distribution.

Data availability statement

All the required data is already included in the manuscript.