Influence of Nickel Particulate reinforcement on Morphological and Mechanical Properties of ZA-27alloy composites

Abstract

The aim of the work is to investigate the influence of nickel particulate on morphological and mechanical properties ZA-27 alloys synthesized by stir-casting technique. The developed Ni-reinforced composite specimens are heat treated for 320°C for 3h then furnace cooled and artificially aged at 80°C and 100 °C for 12 h. The morphology of age specimens was investigated by transmission Electron microscope (TEM) and chemical composition of alloys were determined using energy despersive spectroscopy (EDS). Density, porosity, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, Young modulus, hardness, compression strength and elongation of both with and without heat-treated specimens were characterized as per ASTM standards. Aging process influenced on the structure,  grain boundaries and mechanism of precipitation of the modified ZA-27 alloys. The results showed that adding of Ni to the ZA-27 alloys results in improved yield stress, ultimate tensile strength, Young’s modulus and compression strength for 100°C ageing temperature with compromising ductility. The fracture surface of the specimen was characterized by using scanning electron microscope to investigate.