Effect of Ceramic Reinforcement on Physical and Mechanical Behaviour of AL6061 Metal Matrix Composites Fabricated Using Stir Casting Technique

The influence of n-ZrO2 particles addition on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the Al6061 composites was examined. Mechanical alloying was used to mix the ceramic particles, while stir casting was used to fabricate the x-ZrO2-Al6061 composites (where x = 0, 5, 10, 15 wt%). The microstructural and morphological examination was carried out by using XRD, FESEM and elemental techniques. For the as cast condition, the hardness, tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, impact strength, and compressive strength of the n-ZrO2-Al6061 composites were increased by 17.47%, 35.19%, 24.34%, 28.48%, 48.88%, and 44.49%, respectively, over monolithic alloy, which was correlated with a uniform dispersion of ceramic particles. The multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) technique is employed for evaluating the ranking order of the composite's formulations based on performance measures. The composites reinforced with 10 wt% ZrO2 demonstrated the best combination of mechanical properties. This novel and comprehensive similarity throughout the examined properties for intricate microstructures perhaps be beneficial for designing optimum composite structures.