Fabrication and physio-mechanical characterization of Al/Mg alloy metal matrix composite reinforced with graphite and borosilicate glass particles

Abstract

The usage of aluminum matrix composites is increasing due to their lightweight and excellent mechanical properties in various sectors. This work investigates the effect of adding graphite and borosilicate glass particles into the Al/Mg alloy matrix. This article provides a detailed overview of the complete fabrication process, which includes the preparation of materials, casting, machining into standard shapes, and subsequent testing for physio-mechanical characterization. Specimens were made according to seven sample sets: graphite particle weight % varies as 1.5 %, 3 %, and 4.5 % with two fixed weight % of borosilicate glass particles (2 % and 4 %). The results showed improvements in physio-mechanical properties due to the presence of particles. In the tensile test, superior properties were obtained for samples with 4 % borosilicate glass particle and 3 % graphite, where 11.11 %, 87.35 %, 36.89 %, and 8.09 % improvement from the base sample were observed for ultimate and yield strength, modulus, and toughness, respectively. In the case of the compression test, samples of 4 % glass particles with 3 % and 4.5 % graphite showed 5.006 % and 6.51 % enhancement for compressive strength accordingly. For the hardness test, the later sample showed a maximum of 12.76 % improvement. Impact strength showed appreciation up to 77.95 %. Moreover, in most of the comparative analyses, it was found that samples with 4 % borosilicate glass particles showed better characteristics than 2 % of it with the same % of graphite. Finally, micrographs and EDS maps were obtained to investigate the nature of the fracture of the samples.

Keywords

• Borosilicate
• Graphite
• Metal matrix composite
• Mechanical properties
• Fracture
• SEM