Comparison of the Mechanical Properties of AL6061/Albite and AL6061/Graphite Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

The aim of this present investigation is to carry out a comparative study of the mechanical properties of AL6061/Albite composites containing albite(NaAlSi 3 O 8 ) particulates, which are naturally occurring plagioclase feldspar and AL6061/graphite particulate composites containing graphite particles. The reinforcing particulates in the MMC’s vary from 0% to 4% by weight. The 'vortex method' of production was employed to fabricate the composites, in which the reinforcements were poured into the vortex created by stirring the molten metal by means of a mechanical agitator. The composites so produced were subjected to a series of tests. The results of this study revealed that as the Albite particle content was increased, there were significant increases in the ultimate tensile strength, hardness and Young's modulus, accompanied by a reduction in its ductility. There was, however, only a very marginal increase in the compressive strength, where as in graphite reinforced composites as the graphite content was increased, there were significant reduction in hardness and monotonic increases in the ductility, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), compressive strength and Young's modulus of the composite, An attempt is made in the paper to provide explanations for these phenomena.