Study on Mechanical Properties of AA6061/SiC/B4C Hybrid Nano Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

The present work investigates the mechanical characterization of aluminium alloy (AA) 6061 based hybrid nanometal matrix composites (MMCs) fabricated using conventional stir casting process. Two compositions viz., AA6061+1.5 wt.% B4C+0.5 wt.% SiC (Hybrid A) and AA6061+1.5 wt.% B4C+1.5 wt.% SiC (Hybrid B) was prepared and its mechanical properties such as microhardness, tensile, compressive, flexural and impact strength were investigated to compare with unreinforced AA6061. SiC and B4C ceramic particles (purity 99.89%) of average particle size of 50 nm were used as reinforcements. Significant enhancement in microhardness of 30.2% and 31.02% for hybrid A and B are observed respectively. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased by 10.72% and 16.55% for hybrid A and B respectively. Improved interaction because of the enhanced surface to volume ratio at the interface resulted in improvement of mechanical properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) of the fractured surface shows brittle fracture because of the incorporation of the ceramic reinforcements in the matrix material. The developed AA6061/SiC/B­4C hybrid nanocomposites show improved mechanical properties for high-performance structural applications.