Analyzing effect of reinforcement on stir casted 7075 Aluminum alloy

Growing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles and lower CO2 emissions has led to the development of lightweight materials. Aluminum composites are being used to achieve light weighting in order to improve performance, efficiency, and sustainability across various industries. The unique properties of aluminum composites make them an attractive choice for researchers and designers looking to optimize their products. Reinforcement materials play a vital role in the development of these composites, acting as barriers to dislocation movement within the aluminum matrix. This effectively strengthens the material and prevents deformation under load, resulting in increased tensile strength and fatigue resistance. Additionally, aluminum composites exhibit improved thermal and electrical conductivity, making them suitable for automotive applications. In this study, metal matrix composites (MMCs) of aluminum 7075 alloy were developed using silicon carbide (SiC) and fly ash as reinforcements. Three different compositions were casted using the stir casting technique: 10% fly ash, 10% SiC, and 5% SiC plus 5% fly ash. A detailed characterization of these composites was conducted using Scanning electron microscopy coupled with Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, focusing on the metallurgical characteristics of the materials. This analysis revealed the distribution of eutectic phases, primary aluminum matrix, intermetallic compounds, chemical zonation, and precipitates at grain boundaries, resulting in improved strength, hardness, and wear resistance. The results showed that the fly ash composition exhibited increased wear resistance due to the formation of complex phases, while the SiC composition showed improvements in tensile strength and hardness.