The effect of reinforcement particle weight percentage on the mechanical and microstructural properties of AA 2024-based metal matrix composite

Abstract

In the present investigation, Nano-Copper oxide (Nano-CuO) and Titanium diboride (TiB₂) reinforced aluminum alloy AA2024 based hybrid composite material was fabricated by utilizing the stir-casting process. The three compositions of hybrid metal matrix composite material were developed with the varying weight percentage of reinforcement particles. The Nano-CuO weight percentage was fixed at 0.25% and TiB₂ weight percentage was varying as 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%. Further, the microstructural investigation was performed with the help of energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) color mapping, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) micrographs. The tensile testing, hardness testing, three point bending testing, and impact testing was performed to analyze the mechanical behavior of the developed composite material compositions AA2024/2.5wt.%TiB₂/0.25wt.%CuO, AA2024/5wt.%TiB₂/0.25wt.%CuO, and AA2024/7.5wt.%TiB₂/0.25wt.%CuO. Further, the influence of an increase in reinforcement particle weight percentage on the mechanical behavior of developed composite material compositions was analyzed critically. The reinforcement particles composition (0.25wt.% CuO and 7.5wt.%TiB₂) increase the 17.90% yield and 27.57% tensile strength of the matrix material. Further, the same composition increases the flexural strength of matrix material by 15.08%. The composition (AA2024/7.5wt.%TiB₂/0.25wt.%CuO) increases the flexural strength and hardness of matrix material by 15.03% and 16.3% respectively.