Journal Published Online: 31 October 2018
Volume 7, Issue 1

Processing and Characterization of Zirconium Dioxide Dispersion–Strengthened Al7068 Composites

CODEN: MPCACD

Abstract

Aluminum metal matrix composites are a class of advanced engineering materials that have major applications in aerospace, automobile, and marine engineering domains because of their mechanical properties. The aluminum matrix is dispersion strengthened with hard ceramic particles like zirconia (ZrO2), silicon carbide, alumina, boron carbide, and so forth bringing about better wear protection and enhanced strength-to-weight ratios. In light of the advances in the size and morphology of the reinforcements, it is indeed a sensitive task to process the aluminum composite materials. Among the various processing methodologies, the traditional stir casting technique is an important fabrication methodology for delivering aluminum matrix composites, since it is generally reasonable and offers an extensive variety of material processing conditions. An endeavor has been made to manufacture Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMCs) with the Al7068 alloy as the matrix phase and ZrO2 of a generalized particulate size of 25–40 μm as the reinforcement phase dispersed with varying weight proportions in the range of 0 to 12 wt. % in intervals of 2 wt. % utilizing an indigenously created stir casting process. The homogeneous scattering of ZrO2 particles in the AMCs is distinctly observed from the optical micrographs. Mechanical characterization is effectively done, and the tensile, compression, hardness properties of the composites are taken into account, which gives major evidence that the characteristics of the AMCs improve with the addition of reinforcement particulates attributed to the fact that ZrO2 forms a solid solution with the Al7068 eutectic phases, resulting in improved densification and better toughness and load-bearing capabilities.

Author Information

Mariswamy, Madhusudhan
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
Kumbeshwar, Mahesha
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
Pages: 12
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: MPC20180073
ISSN: 2379-1365
DOI: 10.1520/MPC20180073