Mechanical Properties and Metallurgical Characterization of LM25/ZrO2 Composites Fabricated by Stir Casting Method

Abstract

Zirconia (ZrO2) dispersed aluminum alloy metal matrix composites produced by stir casting techniques.
Using stir casting techniques, aluminium based composites with varying amounts of 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%
of zirconia by weight are fabricated. The prepared samples were subjected to physical, mechanical,tribiology
and microstructure investigation. The extraordinary performance of Aluminium MMCs was the low density
that obtained after alloying. Hardness and ductility were also increased when increase in Zirconia particle.
Ultimate tensile strength, compressive strength and impact toughness were slightly increasing with the
addition of zirconia particle. Microstructural characteristics shows that a homogeneous distribution of
particles with reinforcement in casted composite. The investigations of the metallurgical characterization
were carried using optical, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and Energy Dispersive
Spectrometry (EDS) test to understand the metallurgical properties.
Keywords: Metal-matrix composites (MMCs), Hardness testing, Tensile test, Compression test , Scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS).