Study of Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Bio-Ceramics Reinforced Aluminium Alloy Composites

Abstract

Composite materials play a vital role to derive several benefits regarding mechanical properties by conducting various investigations and testing through material characterization, synthesis, processing and behaviour for various applications. Among metal matrix composite, aluminium matrix composites are recently used for research due to its viability and utilization. Major alloying element in aluminium 2000 series is copper which possess very good corrosion and wear resistance. For light weight structure fabrication aluminium alloy is widely approved due to its high strength to weight ratio. Several applications of lightweight aluminium material includes automotive, space vehicles and marine applications which results in material and energy saving. In the current work, AA2219 is reinforced with seashell powder, a bioceramic material, due to its great hardness and strength property by using stir casting method with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 wt. %. Compared to all manufacturing methods of metal matrix composite, stir casting method is considered to be a highly beneficial one. Mechanical properties like hardness and impact properties were evaluated by using Brinell hardness testing machine and charpy impact testing machine respectively. Tribological properties like wear test have been conducted through pin-on-disc apparatus. Through these tests, influence of seashell powder reinforcement on aluminium alloy was evidently shown. It was understood from the results that 3 wt. % of seashell powder rendered better mechanical and tribological properties for AA2219-seashell powder composites.