Study of Mechanical Properties of Heat treated AL 7075/Graphite Powder/Baggasse Ash hybrid MMCs

Abstract

This research work investigated the influence of the graphite powder on the Mechanical behaviour of Aluminium 7075/Graphite Powder(Gr)/Bagasse Ash(BA) hybrid composite. This investigation reveals the effectiveness of incorporation of graphite powder in the composite for gaining enhancing mechanical properties. The Al7075 (Aluminium alloy 7075) reinforced with bagasse ash and graphite powder to form MMCs were investigated. The conventional liquid casting technique was used for the fabrication of the composite material and subject to T6 heat treatment. The composite was produced for different percentages of graphite powder and bagasse ash. The specimens were prepared as per ASTM standard size by turning and facing operations to conduct tensile tests, compression tests and hardness tests. The specimens for tensile and compression strength are tested using universal testing machine and for hardness they are tested using Brinell hardness testing machine. The reinforcement content was chosen as 2,4, 6wt.% of Graphite powder to identify its potential for self lubricating property under dry sliding conditions. Through the results, it is concluded that the MMC obtained has got better tensile strength, compression strength, yield strength and hardness properties when compared to non-heat-treated Al 7075 alone.