Mechanical Properties

of Al7075-SiC-TiO2 Hybrid
Metal Matrix Composite

G. S. Pradeep Kumar, R. Keshavamurthy, Vijay Tambrallimath,

Riya Biswas and Yogesh Sahebrao Andhale

1 Introduction

Metal matrix composite is gaining a large momentum in attaining light weight and
huge utilization in various engineering applications. Monolithic metals and their
alloys cannot always meet the demands of today’s modern engineering require-
ments. With addition of more than one material it is possible to achieve tailor made
properties and meet the performance requirements for specific application.
Materials are mainly added to change their properties in order to fulfil the
requirements of design [1, 2].
Few researchers have incorporated fly ash in AA7075 to provide a better wear
resistant, strength and hardness composite. Microstructural characteristics of
AA7075 and its composite were compared and analyzed using Optical Microscope
(OM) and SEM.
It has been noticed that the fly ash particles have been dispersed uniformly in the
composite. The composite has been prepared by liquid metallurgy technique. The
hardness has been increased due to good union between flyash and Al7075 alloy
and homogenous dispersion of fly ash [3]. Review on various combinations with
Al7075 being the matrix and various components like SiC, TiO2, TiB2, B4C, fly ash
etc. being the reinforcements have contributed in improved mechanical character-
istics. This paper emphasises on the composite prepared by liquid state processing
techniques like stir casting methods. This process appears to be relatively simple
and cost effective and can be made semi continuous or continuous by stirring [4].

G. S. Pradeep Kumar
Y. S. Andhale

D Y Patil School of Engineering Academy, Ambi, India
R. Keshavamurthy
V. Tambrallimath (&)
R. Biswas
Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bangalore, India
e-mail: vijay.tambrallimath@gmail.com

© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 301

K. Antony and J. P. Davim (eds.), Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Science,
Lecture Notes on Multidisciplinary Industrial Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76276-0_30
302 G. S. Pradeep Kumar et al.

Reinforced basalt fibres into Al7075 has seen improvements in mechanical

properties of the material. Microstructural evaluation of composite specimens dis-
closes the consistent distribution of basalt fibres and other precipitates in the
Aluminium alloy. The strength value comparisons with various theoretical studies
recommends that the experimentally calculated values are in good agreement with
theoretical studies considering the random dispersion of basalt fibres in the Al
(7075) matrix [5]. Preparation of a cenosphere composite with Al7075. It has
enhanced properties which include strength, toughness, hardness and wear resis-
tance evaluated with alloys. Its applicable in aircraft for the reason that of its lower
weight to strength ratio. It’s been prepared by liquid metallurgy technique [6].
Some researchers have studied influence of TiO2 and fly ash were studied by
synthesizing composite using casting and hot forging techniques. The hybrid
composites exhibited improvement in compressive strength by using two fillers and
further increase in the content of TiO2 particles. The coefficient of thermal
expansion of hybrid composites decreased with increase in the content of TiO2 and
fly ash. On the other hand, thermal conductivity of composites decreases with
hybrid reinforcements when evaluated with Al7075 alloy [7].
While designing the materials, hybrid metal matrix composites generally have
more flexibility of design owing to presence of two or more reinforcements.
Thus, current study was undertaken to aluminium based hybrid metal matrix
composites with low cost reinforcements like SiC and TiO2 by stir casting. SiC and
TiO2 were chosen as hybrid reinforcements owing to their superior mechanical,
Tribological and physical properties. From the extensive review of literature, it is
clear that Silicon Carbide and Titanium dioxide can be considered as efficient
reinforcements with multiple benefits for synthesis of hybrid metal matrix com-
posites. Further, very limited information exist with reference to mechanical
properties with the combination of titanium dioxide and silicon carbide reinforced
Al7075 based metal matrix composites. In the light of the above, this work focuses
on synthesis of Al7075-TiO2-SiC hybrid metal matrix composites by liquid met-
allurgy technique and characterization of its mechanical properties.

2 Experimental Procedure

Composites were synthesized by mixing molten Al7075 alloy, Silicon Carbide and
Titanium Carbide as reinforcements. Stir casting technique was employed to syn-
thesize the hybrid composites with 2 wt% of each Silicon Carbide and Titanium
Carbide particles. Al7075 alloy has been used in automotives, aerospace and marine
industries due to their high strength to density ratio and formability. Table 1 shows
the composition of matrix material used in present study.
The particle size of silicon carbide was in the range of 80–70 lm and the particle
size of titanium dioxide was in the range of 40–50 lm. The percentage of silicon
carbide and titanium dioxide used in the casting process was 2% each. Aluminum
7075 alloy was melted in an electrical resistance furnace. Molten Al7075 alloy was
Table 1 Composition of Al7075
Chemical composition of A16061 alloy
Mechanical Properties of Al7075-SiC-TiO2 …

Element Si Fe Cu Mn Ni Pb Zn Ti Sn Mg Cr A1
Percentage 0.43 0.43 0.24 0.139 <0.05 0.024 0.006 0.022 0.001 0.802 0.184 Balance
303
304 G. S. Pradeep Kumar et al.

stirred at a speed of 300 rpm. Reinforcement particles were then slowly incorpo-
rated into the molten metal while maintaining a constant stirring speed. The
composite melt at a temperature of 750 °C, was then transfered into preheated cast
iron moulds. Developed hybrid composites were characterized for its microstruc-
ture, hardness and tensile strength. The test samples for tensile tests were machined
from the castings as per ASTM A370 standards.

3 Results and Discussions

Figure 1 shows optical micrographs of Al7075-TiO2-SiC hybrid aluminium com-

posites. It is seen from the microphotograph that SiC and TiO2 particles have been
dispersed uniformly throughout the matrix material. The microstructure of com-
posites can strongly influence strength, toughness, ductility of composites. Further,
the developed composite do not show any visible defect in the micrograph indi-
cating good quality of the casting process.

4 Hardness

Figure 2 shows comparison of hardness between as cast Al7075 alloy and

Al7075-2 wt% TiO2-2 wt% SiC hybrid composite. The enhancement in the hard-
ness value is 24% over the unreinforced AA7075 alloy. A simple reason for
increment in the hardness was the presence of hard reinforcing phase in the alu-
minium matrix. In general the presence of hard reinforcing phase present in the
ductile aluminium matrix can significantly improve the hardness of overall

Fig. 1 a Al7075-2 wt% TiO2-2 wt% SiC composite b Al7075-2 wt% TiO2-2 wt% SiC composite
(etched)
Mechanical Properties of Al7075-SiC-TiO2 … 305

Fig. 2 Hardness result of

Al7075 alloy and
Al7075-TiO2-SiC composite

composite [8]. Increase in the hardness of the hybrid composites when compared
with that of AA7075 alloy may be attributed to following reasons [9, 10].
1. Higher hardness of reinforcing phases. Addition of hard reinforcements (SiC
and Titanium dioxide) in the soft ductile matrix contributes to improvement in
the hardness of the composites.
2. Due to large variation in coefficient of thermal expansion between AA7075
alloy and reinforced particles, dislocation increases and acts as barrier for plastic
deformation.
3. Uniform dispersion of particulates, excellent bond between matrix and rein-
forcing particles (SiC and TiO2), and extensive grain refinement has signifi-
cantly improved the hardness of composites.

5 Tensile Test

Figure 3 shows variation of ultimate tensile strength of Al7075 alloy and

Al7075-TiO2-SiC hybrid composites. It is observed that an improvement of 12% in
the tensile strength of the composite is noticed when compared to the alloy Al7075.
The reinforcements, SiC and TiO2 are contributing to ultimate tensile strength of
AA7075 matrix. The strengthening of AA7075 is mainly due to the consistent
dispersion and superior bond of titanium dioxide and Silicon Carbide with the
Aluminium 7075 alloy. The regular dispersion of reinforcements as seen in
microstructure is reflected in the increment in ultimate strength values.
306 G. S. Pradeep Kumar et al.

Fig. 3 Tensile strength of

Al7075 alloy
andAl7075-TiO2-SiC
composite

6 Conclusions

Al7075-2 wt% TiO2-2 wt% SiC hybrid composite has been successfully synthe-
sised by liquid metallurgy technique. Optical microstructure studies clearly reveal
uniform dispersion of particles in matrix material. Hybrid composite demonstrate
considerable enhancement in hardness and ultimate tensile strength when evaluated
with matrix alloy.

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