Characterisation of Aluminium Matrix Composite Reinforced with Glass Powder and Silicon Carbide Particles

Abstract

The characterisation of Aluminium A6061 alloy with the addition of glass powder and SiC (silicon carbide) using the stir casting process is investigated in this study. The glass powder serves as the primary reinforcement, while SiC acts as the secondary reinforcement. The incorporation of waste glass powder and SiC particles aims to enhance the mechanical properties of the A6061 alloy matrix. Aluminium Matrix Composite (AMC) samples with varying weight percentages of glass powder (2%, 4%, 6% and 8%) and a fixed composition of 4% SiC particles are fabricated. Followed by a series of characterisation tests, tensile strength, hardness, wear and coefficient of friction, are evaluated. The UTS of AMC with 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% wt. reinforced glass powder is 154 MPa, 208 MPa, 212 MPa and 218 MPa respectively, and noted as significantly improved when compared to the UTS pure aluminium (A6061) as 133MPa. The UTS increases with an increase in the % wt. of the glass powder. There is a similar increase in the hardness, yield strength and wear resistance owing to reinforcements. The maximum hardness value is 107.2 HBW and the yield strength is 149 MPa with addition of 8% wt. glass powder. The percentage elongation shows a slight increase with the incorporation of the reinforcements. The presence of glass powder and SiC particles also led to a refined structure, which further contributed to the improved mechanical, tribological and microstructure properties of the composite.