Study on Mechanical and Metallurgical Behavior of Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

In recent years the demands of hybrid metal matrix composites have been increasing because of their attractive superior properties over traditional materials and single reinforced composites. Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites are materials that can match with the property combinations required for wide range of various engineering applications. The microstructural and mechanical behavior of hybrid metal matrix composite based on aluminum alloy 6063 reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) and rare earth metal (CeO_2+〖La〗_2 O_3) was investigated. For this purpose, the hybrid composites were fabricated using conventional stir casting process by varying weight percentages of 3, 6, 9 wt% of (SiC) and 1, 2, 3wt% of rare earth (CeO_2+ 〖La〗_2 O_3) mixture. Microstructure analysis was studied using scanning electron microscope and Energy-dispersive Spectroscope. Mechanical properties such as micro-hardness, impact strength, ultimate tensile strength, percentage elongation, along with tribological properties such as wear rate were investigated on hybrid composites at room temperature. The results revealed that with increase in weight percentage of (SiC and rare earth) mixture resulted in superior hardness, impact strength, tensile strength and low wear rate with slight increase in percentage elongation. However, a decrease in these values and high wear rate was observed on increasing the value of rare earth additive to 3% in hybrid composite.