Microstructure & Mechanical Properties Evaluation of Al۶۰۸۲ /AlSi۱۰Mg Composite for Light Weight Structural Applications

The main objective of this research work is to provide lightweight and high-strength materials for structural engineering applications. In general, the mechanical properties of pure Al۶۰۸۲ components are less as compared to the AlSi۱۰Mg components. This work aims to study and improve the mechanical properties of the Al۶۰۸۲/AlSi۱۰Mg composite. The composite, produced by the stir casting technique, stands out for its mechanical performance and microstructure. The findings shed light on the composite's suitability for different uses in sectors like aerospace, automotive, and marine. The outcomes of microstructure and mechanical properties can give significant evidence about whether a composite is appropriate for a given application. This data can be used to make well-informed choices about the composite's suitability for particular applications and to direct future advancements in its mechanical strength. The experimental work was carried out with the composition of Al۶۰۸۲ raw material and AlSi۱۰Mg fresh powder. The weight percentage (Wt. %) of AlSi۱۰Mg is considered with ۰.۵ % for sample S۱, ۱.۰ % for sample S۲, and ۰.۰ % for sample S۳. The microstructure analyses performed that, the S۱ sample showed fine microstructure with major porosity, the S۲ sample showed coarse structure with minor porosity and the S۳ sample showed fine microstructure with minor porosity. The microstructural investigation shows that the silica particles were evenly distributed throughout the aluminum matrix, which ensured that the composites' ultimate tensile strength, hardness, and impact strength had been increased. The mechanical properties of samples are evaluated with tensile, compression, impact, and hardness tests.  The tensile strength of the S۲ sample (۱۲۷ MPa) is high as compared to the S۱ sample (۱۱۰ MPa) due to less porosity, fine grain microstructure, and high Ti element presence in the S۲ sample. The compressive strength of the S۲ sample (۱۴۳.۳ MPa) is high as compared to the S۱ sample (۱۱۷.۱ MPa) due to the fine grain microstructure and high Ti element in the S۲ sample. The impact strength of the S۲ sample (۴.۴ J) is high compared to the S۱ sample (۴.۰ J). The microhardness tested at ۰.۵ Kgf load, ۶۳.۷ HV for the S۱ sample, ۶۵.۱ HV for the S۲ sample, and ۴۶.۳ HV for the S the ۳ sample. Further, the microhardness test was conducted at ۱.۰ Kgf load., the values are ۵۴.۷ HV for the S۱ sample, ۵۹.۷ HV for the S۲ sample, and ۳۸.۳ HV for the S۳ sample. From the findings, it is stated that the S۲ sample performed an excellent mechanical property as compared to the S۱ and S۳ samples due to more wt. % of Ti and Al in the S۲ sample. SEM examination revealed that the S۱ sample has more pits and cracks as compared to the S۲ and S۳ samples. SEM, EDS, and XRD analyses were performed and displayed outstanding results. XRD analysis revealed the same elemental presence of EDS analysis.  The research work is carried out in a systematic procedure and a comparison is made of the test results with the available existing results by the researchers.  Compared to other compositions of available existing research work this Al۶۰۸۲ / AlSi۱۰Mg is also suggestable for the development of lightweight structural applications.

Keywords:

Stir casting Technique , Microstructure analysis , Mechanical properties , SEM analysis , EDSanalysis , XRD analysis