Evaluation of Mechanical and Wear Properties of Al 5059/B4 C/Al2 O3 Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

There is a developing interest in efficient materials in automobile and aerospace fields that involves the improvement of metal matrix composites (MMCs) with great properties which incorporate higher strength, hardness and stiffness, better wear and destructive resistance along with better thermal properties. This work deals with the evaluation of the mechanical and wear properties of the newly developed hybrid MMC of Al 5059/B4 C/Al2 O3 produced by stir casting method. The main aim of the work was to evaluate the mechanical properties of various MMCs fabricated with various weight proportions of ceramic particles (B4 C and Al2 O3 ). An increase in the tensile strength and the surface hardness was observed with the increase in the ceramic particles but there was a decrease in the percentage of elongation of the specimen. An increase in the ceramic content in the composite samples made the composite sample brittle (composite) from ductile (base metal).