Investigation of ZrO₂ reinforced aluminium metal matrix composites by liquid metallurgy route

ABSTRACT

The high strength-to-weight ratio is the major cause in engineering components’ application for automobile, aerospace, marine industries, etc. The inclusion of ZrO₂ reinforcements in AA6061 improves the hardness and tensile strength of the composites that could be used in automotive engine components such as piston, cylinder liners, etc. The present investigation focuses on the fabrication of AA6061 metal matrix reinforcement with various weight ratios of ZrO₂ is (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12%) of particles by the stir casting process. Inorganic salt like potassium titanium fluoride (K₂TiF₆) flux is incorporated within the molten metal to enhance the wettability between AA6061 and ZrO₂ during composite preparation. The microstructure and improved mechanical properties of fabricated composites were confirmed by optical microscope and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The as-prepared composite microstructure reveals the dispersion of ZrO₂ particles within the matrix using FE-SEM. The average grain size was measured using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The mechanical properties are improved due to the increase in the weight percentage of ZrO₂ reinforcements present in the aluminium matrix.

KEYWORDS:

• Metal matrix composites (MMC)
• zirconium dioxide
• wetting
• microstructure
• mechanical properties

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the CRM at Karunya University, Coimbatore; FESEM LAB-CIT, Coimbatore; XRD-LAB at Alagappa University, Karaikudi; EBSD-OIM Textured LAB IIT Bombay provided the facilities for present analysis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).