Characterization and Effect of Particle Size On the Mechanical Properties of Glass Particulate Reinforced Aluminium Alloy6061 Metal Matrix Composites

In this research work, an attempt has been made to prepare Al6061- glass particulate metal matrix composites containing (3%, 6%, 9% and 12%) of glass particulates with four different particle sizes (75 mu m, 88 mu m, 105 mu m and 250 mu m) as reinforcement material were prepared using melt stirring method. The particle distribution in the prepared composites is observed using optical microscopy and XRD analysis. The prepared composite specimens were subjected to mechanical tests to evaluate the mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength using Vickers hardness and uniaxial tensile testing instrument. It was observed from the results that the hardness increase with an increase in wt% of reinforcement up to 9wt% and decreased for 12wt% for all particle sizes. Tensile strength increased with increase in wt% of reinforcement particle up to 9wt% and decreased for 12wt% for all particle sizes. Among the four particles sizes, 250 mu m particle size gives better mechanical properties. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.