Experimentation and characterization of stir casted bio mesquite wood ash (M.W.A.) reinforced aluminium (Al6061 T6) matrix hybrid composites

ABSTRACT

This research paper has discussed the determination of mechanical, wear, and corrosion properties of the stir cast aluminium 6061 (T6) hybrid matrix composites. The reinforcements such as aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃), mesquite wood ash (MWA), and graphite (C) were incorporated with the Al6061 alloy and stir casted. The experimental test data has revealed that the reinforced samples have gained decent tensile strength and impact strength due to the inclusion of rigid, brittle reinforcements. Comparing the bare Al alloy, compressive strength and microhardness of sample 1 and sample 2 was maximum due to the majority of hard structured Al₂O₃ and MWA powder. From the wear analysis, it was inferred that the presence of maximum proportions of Al₂O₃ with self-lubricating graphite powder has promoted better wear resistance for the sample 1. The Tafel plot has concluded that reinforcement of M.W.A. and graphite in sample 4 has gained higher corrosion resistance with minimum current density. Finally, the introduction of bio-mesquite wood ash powder along with synthetic reinforcements has tailored the wear and corrosion properties for the composites with decent improvement in mechanical properties.

KEYWORDS:

• MWA
• Al₂O₃
• stir casting
• impact strength
• FE-SEM and E.D.S

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.