Impact of 316L Stainless Steel on Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of AA5083/316L Metal Matrix Composites

In this study, 316L stainless steel particles were added to the AA5083 matrix phase in varying amounts (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%), and the microstructural and mechanical properties of the MMCs were examined. As a result of the examinations, it was determined that Fe atoms and Fe-Al based intermetallic compounds were formed in the microstructure of the MMCs, and the rate of intermetallic compounds increased with the increase of 316L stainless steel added. The relative density value of AA5083 alloy, which was 98.6%, decreased continuously with the amount of 316L stainless steel added and decreased to 80.5% in the MMC created by adding 20% 316L. Hardness values of AA5083 alloy (80 BSD) increased continuously with the added amount of 316L and reached 132 BSD when 20% 316L was added. The tensile strength of the AA5083 alloy was enhanced in all MMCs, with the maximum tensile strength recorded at 238 MPa in the MMC containing 10% of 316L stainless steel. Also, when the 10% 316L stainless steel particle addition in MMCs was exceeded, the tensile strength started to decrease as a result of the increasing void ratio. Corrosion testing revealed that, compared to AA5083, all MMCs had higher corrosion resistance.