Author : Sachin Malhotra, Ram Narayan and R.D Gupta

The results of an experimental investigation of effect of reinforcement (Zirconia+ Fly Ash ) on mechanical properties of aluminium alloy (Al 6061) composites samples, processed by stir casting method are reported in this paper. Two sets of composites were prepared with fixed percentage of fly ash (10%) & varying percentage of Zirconia (5% & 10%) by weight fraction. The evaluated properties of the samples were tensile strength, hardness and percentage elongation. In the presence of Zirconia and fly ash with aluminium, it was fairly observed that the hardness was increased. Correspondingly, the increase in tensile strength was also observed but elongation of the hybrid metal matrix composites in comparison with unreinforced aluminium was decreased. From the experiment it was observed that the best properties were obtained from the sample containing ( Fly ash (10%) + Zirconia (10%)) as compared to the base metal. The characterization of the best obtained sample was done by Scanning electron microscopic machine & image analysis.

Keywords: Aluminum 6061, Hybrid MMC’s, Fly Ash, Zirconia, Stir casting

Article published in International Journal of Current  Engineering  and Technology, Vol.3,No.5(Dec- 2013)