A Review on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 10 | Oct -2017 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2017, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 5.181 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 484
A Review on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Aluminium
Metal Matrix Composites
S.Venkat Prasat1, T.Naveen Kumar2, L.Prabu3, G.Rajesh Kumar4
1,2,3,4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Vattamalaipalayam,
NGGO Colony (Post), Coimbatore-022, Tamilnadu, India.
--------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
ABSTRACT: The applications of aluminium and its alloys
can be found in almost every engineering field such as
aerospace, marine, automotive, structural and various
other fields. Due to its versatile properties it is preferred
for fabricating different types of metal matrix composites.
Metal matrix composites exhibit better and improved
strength, toughness, formability, corrosion resistance,
machinability, stiffness, wear, creep, fatigue and numerous
other mechanical properties as compared to metals. With
the invention and development of these aluminium metal
matrix composites various drawbacks faced by the
engineering society have been overcome and best possible
solutions are provided. This review paper mainly focuses
on the mechanical behavior and microstructural changes
occurred in various types of aluminium metal matrix
composites
Keywords : Composites, Aluminium, Microstructure,
Optical Microscopy, SEM, reinforcement.
INTRODUCTION
Composites are a blend of materials with different
composition. These materials even possess their
identities in their composite, i.e. it does not fuse or
conjugate completely into each other. There are different
types of composites based on their matrix constituents,
they are Metal Matrix Composite (MMCs), Ceramic
Matrix Composite (CMCs), Polymer Matrix Composite
(PMCs), and other composites based on the layers of
materials provided [1]. Metal Matrix Composites is a
combination of two or more components, i.e. matrix and
reinforcing material, usually matrix will be low density
metal such as titanium, aluminium, copper etc. and
reinforcing material will be a different material or metal
such as fibre, ceramic, polymer etc. Matrix is the
monolithic material and continuous in nature in which
diverse materials are embedded in it. Reinforcements
are added to the matrix to improve its properties like
hardness, strength, elongation, conductivity, corrosion
resistance etc. The applications of MMCs are rapidly
increasing in various sector due to its improved
properties when compared to monolithic metals[2]. The
modern trend for potential applications is to optimize
the mechanical properties and heat treatment of MMCs.
The selection criteria of these metals involves the
requirement of good corrosion resistance and high
strengthened alloys as the matrix and the reinforcement
material are added in order to increase elastic modulus
and yield strength at least expense. [3]. Among many
host matrix metals, Aluminium receives wider attention
because of its low density, low cost, strength to weight
ratio, high corrosion resistance and other properties.
Aluminum metal matrix composites(AMCs) with
non-metallic reinforcement such asB4C, SiC, TiC ,Si3N4,
AlN, , TiB2, TiO2, Fly ash etc. embedded into Al matrix to
improve creep resistance, dimensional stability, abrasion
resistance, higher strength-to-weight, and stiffness-to-
weight ratio. [4]. AMCs reinforced with discontinuous
phases in the forms of fibres, whiskers and particulates,
which possess magnified strength values at high
temperature, thermal expansion, low coefficient of
friction, stiffness and good wear resistance when
compared to host matrix metal. The matrix consists of
continuous phase embedded in a discontinuous phase,
whereas the reinforcements consists of only
discontinuous phase. The discontinuous phase was far
stronger and harder when compared to continuous
phase [5].
Aluminium metal matrix may be laminated,
fibres or particulates composites. MMCs are processed
through liquid cast metal technology, powder metallurgy
route or by using special manufacturing process. The
processing of discontinuous particulate MMCs consists of
two processes (i) liquid cast metal technology and (ii)
powder metallurgy. The powder metallurgy process has
its own demerits such as size of the components and
processing cost. Therefore, only the casting method is to
be considered as the most optimum and economical
route for processing of aluminium composite materials
[6]. Among various casting process, Stir casting is
considered to be most effective method. Stir casting is
the process of stirring the molten metal with its metal
alloy continuously and then poured into sand mould to
cool and then to solidify. In stir casting, the particles get
accumulated often; the accumulated particles can be
dissolved at higher temperature by vigorous stirring [1].
LITERATURE SURVEY
Tamer Ozbenet al. [7] investigated the mechanical and
machinability properties of SiC particle reinforced Al-

MMC. With the increase in reinforcement ratio, tensile
strength, hardness and density of Al MMC material
increased, but impact toughness decreased.
SedatOzdenet al. [8] investigated the impact behaviour
of Al and SiC particle reinforced with AMC under
different temperature conditions. The impact behaviour
of composites was affected by clustering of particles,
particle cracking and weak matrix-reinforcement
bonding. The effects of the test temperature on the
impact behaviour of all materials were not very
significant. Sujan et al. [9] studied the performance of
stir cast Al2O3 and SiC reinforced metal matrix
composite material. The result showed that the
composite materials exhibit improved physical and
mechanical properties, such as low coefficient of thermal
expansion as low as 4.6x10-6/N C, high ultimate tensile
strength up to 23.68%, high impact strength and
hardness. The composite materials can be applied as
potential lightweight materials in automobile
components. Experimentally it is found that with
addition of AlSiC reinforcement particles, the composite
exhibited lower wear rate compared to Al-Al2O3
composites. BalasivanandhaPrabhuet et al. [10] analysed
the influence of stirring speed and stirring time on
distribution of particles in SiC AMC. The study was about
high silicon content aluminium al with 10% SiC
synthesized using different stirring speeds and stirring
times. The analysis revealed that at lower stirring speed
and time, the particle clustering was more at some
places, by increasing them the distribution resulted
better and also it had its effect on hardness of the
composite. Uniform hardness values were achieved at
600 rpm with 10 min stirring.
Fly ash particles are potential discontinuous dispersions
used in metal matrix composites due to their low cost
and low density reinforcement which are available in
large quantities as a waste by product in thermal power
plants. The major constituents of flyash are SiO2, Al2O3,
Fe2O3, and CaO. Rajan et al. [11] compared the effect of
the three different stir casting methods on the properties
of fly ash particles reinforced Al-7Si-0.35Mg alloy.
Zuoyong Dou et al. [12] studied the electromagnetic
interference shielding effectiveness properties of Al
2024 alloy and flyash,but addition of fly ash particulate
decreases the tensile strength of the composites.
Ramachandra and Radhakrishna [13] experimentally
found that the wear resistance of Al MMC increases with
the increase in flyash content, but decreases with
increase in normal load and sliding velocity, and also
observed that the corrosion resistance decreases with
the increase in fly ash content.
Ravichandran M et.al carried out the research work by
fabricating aluminium metal matrix composites through
liquid powder metallurgy route. The aluminium matrix
composite containing TiO2 reinforcement particle was
produced to study the mechanical properties such as
tensile strength and hardness. The characterization
studies are also carried out to evident the phase
presence in the composite and the results are discussed
for the reinforcement addition with the mechanical
properties. Results show that, the addition of 5 weight
percentage of TiO2to the pure aluminium improves the
mechanical properties.
Uvarajaet .al [14]observed that Hybridization is
commonly used for improving the properties and for
lowering the cost of conventional composites. Hybrid
MMCs are made by dispersing two or more reinforcing
materials into a metal matrix. They have received
considerable research and trials by Toyota Motor Inc., in
the early 1980s. Hybrid metal matrix composites are a
relatively new class of materials characterized by lighter
weight, greater strength, high wear resistance, good
fatigue properties and dimensional stability at elevated
temperatures than those of conventional composites.
Due to such attractive properties coupled with the ability
to operate at high temperatures, the Al matrix composite
reinforced with SiC and B4C particulate are a new range
of advanced materials. It was found that applications of
hybrid composites in aerospace industries and
automobile engine parts like drive shafts, cylinders,
pistons and brake rotors, consequently interests in
studying structural components wear behaviour. . Anand
Kumar et.al research work carried out by Addition of
reinforcement such as TiC, SiC, Al2O3, TiO2, TiN, etc. to
Aluminium matrix for enhancing the mechanical
properties has been a well–established fact. In-situ
method of reinforcement of the Aluminium matrix with
ceramic phase like Titanium Carbide (TiC) is well
preferred over the Ex–situ method. In the present
investigation, Al-Cu alloy (series of 2014 Aluminium
alloy) was used as matrix and reinforced with TiC using
In-situ process. The Metal Matrix Composite (MMC)
material, Al-.5%Cu/10%TiC developed exhibits higher
yield strength, ultimate strength and hardness as
compared to Al-4.5%Cu alloy. Percentage increase in
yield and ultimate tensile strengths were reported to be
about 15% and 24% respectively whereas Vickers
hardness increased by about 35%. The higher values in
hardness indicated that the TiC particles contributed to
the increase of hardness of matrix.
ALUMINIUM SILICON CARBIDE
Aluminium silicate has high strength to weight ratio,
which is three times more than mild steel. In addition,
composites containing SiC (reinforcing material) and Al
(matrix) have high modulus, strength values, wear
resistance, high thermal stability, less weight and a more
effective load carrying capacity compared to many other
materials [16]. It is also expected that this composite will
exhibit good corrosion/ oxidation properties since

silicon carbide forms a protective coating of silicon oxide
at 1,200°C [17].Aluminium is mixed with 10% SiC to
increase the physical and mechanical properties of the
composite. Wettability of aluminium based composite is
usually improved by addition of Magnesium(Mg). The
composite is fabricated by stir casting. X-ray diffraction
and SEM Analysis is used to study the structure of the
composite[14].
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The following results are shown when aluminium is
mixed with 10% SiC.
Mechanical Properties
Density
The density of aluminium is around 2.60g/cm3 .The
density of the composite was experimentally determined
by the Archimedes Principle.At higher concentration
[(Al(10%SiC)], the density was decreased 2.3125 g/cm3
which is about 11% improvement when compared to
pure aluminium[17].
Tensile Strength
The increase in volume fraction of reinforcing particles
initially decreases the micro yielding stress due to
increase in number of stress concentration points
(Chawla, 2006). Tensile behaviour was tested using
computerized UTM testing machine as per the ASTM E-8
standards. Tensile Strength of pure aluminium is 236
N/mm2, and the resultant hybrid composite of
Al/(10%SiC) has tensile strength of 265 N/mm2 which is
about 12.28% improvement when compared to pure
aluminium[17].
Yield Strength
Yield Strength was tested using computerized UTM
testing machine as per the ASTM E-8 standards. Yield
Strength of pure aluminium is 220 N/mm2, and the
resultant hybrid composite of Al/(10%SiC) has yield
Strength of 257 N/mm2 which is about 16.8%
improvement when compared to pure aluminium[17].
Elongation
Elongation was tested using computerized UTM testing
machine as per the ASTM E-8 standards. Elongation of
unreinforced aluminium is 19.4%, and the resultant
hybrid composite of Al/(10%SiC) has elongation of
18.2% which is about 6% improvement when compared
to pure aluminium[17].
Hardness
Bulk Hardness was tested using standard Brinell
hardness testing Machine. Load applied was 10kg and
indenter used was square diamond indenter. Hardness
value of pure Al is found out to be 79.9 BHN and after the
addition of 10% SiC its hardness increased to 87.2 BHN
which is about 9% improvement when compared to pure
aluminium[17].
Table 1 Mechanical Properties of Al-SiC MMCs at various Composition [17]
Sample Al Composition
wt in %
Density Tensile
Strength
Yield
Strength
Elongation Hardne
ss
No. grams SiC g/cm3 N/mm2 N/mm2 in % (BHN)
1 100 0 2.7000 236 220 19.4 79.9
2 100 5 2.4660 248 236 19.0 85.3
3 100 10 2.3125 265 257 18.2 87.2
Aluminium Alloy Reinforced with Silicon Carbide
and Fly Ash Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites
Aluminium alloy 2024 has good machining
characteristics, higher strength and fatigue resistance
than both 2014 and 2017[17]. Silicon carbide (SiC) is a
compound of silicon and carbon[19]. Silicon carbide was
originally produced by a high temperature
electrochemical reaction of sand and carbon. The high
thermal conductivity coupled with low thermal
expansion and high strength gives this material
exceptional thermal shock resistant qualities[20]. Fly ash
is one of the most inexpensive and low density
reinforcement available in large quantities as solid waste
by-product during combustion of coal in thermal power
plants[21]. Aluminium when mixed with (10%) SiC and
(10%) Fly ash which result in tremendous increase in
hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of
the resultant composite material when compared to the
pure aluminium. These hybrid composite was fabricated
by stir casting method and structural characteristics was
studied by x ray diffraction studies and optical
microscopy was used to study the microstructure of
MMC.

Results and Discussion
Optical Micrographs of MMC
The morphology, density, type of reinforcing materials
used and its distribution plays a vital role in influencing
the properties of composites so it is necessary to
distribute particles uniformly throughout the casting
process to prevent segregation/agglomeration of
particles during pouring and solidification. Magnesium is
used to improve the wettability. The particles were not
uniformly distributed in the case of Al/(5% SiC),
Al/(10% SiC), Al/(5% fly ash) and Al/(10% fly ash) they
tend to segregate, but aluminium composite were
uniformly distributed in the presence of 10% SiC-10%
fly ash[19].
(a) (b)
Fig 1 Optical micrograph (100X) of Al 2024
(10%SiC+10% fly ash). (a) before etching and (b) after
etching[19].
Density
In the study SiC and fly ash particles used have low
density of around 2.2g/cm3The density of the composite
was experimentally determined by the Archimedes
Principle. At higher concentration [(Al(10%SiC+10%fly
ash)], the density was decreased 2.06 g/cm3which was
around 54% improvement when compared to resultant
hybrid composite[19].
Tensile Strength
The increase in volume fraction of reinforcing particles
initially decreases the micro yielding stress due to
increase in number of stress concentration points
(Chawla, 2006). Tensile behaviour was tested using
computerized UTM testing machine as per the ASTM E-8
standards. Tensile Strength of pure aluminium is 236
N/mm2, and the resultant hybrid composite of
Al/(10%SiC+10%fly ash) has tensile strength of 293
N/mm2 which is about 57% improvement when
compared to resultant hybrid composite [19].
Yield Strength
Yield Strenth was tested using computerized UTM testing
machine as per the ASTM E-8 standards. Yield Strenth of
pure aluminium is 220 N/mm2, and the resultant hybrid
composite of Al/(10%SiC+10%fly ash) has yield Strenth
of 287 N/mm2 which is about 67% improvement when
compared to resultant hybrid composite [19].
Elongation
Elongation was tested using computerized UTM testing
machine as per the ASTM E-8 standards. Elongation of
unreinforced aluminium is 19.4%, and the resultant
hybrid composite of Al/(10%SiC+10%fly ash) has
elongation of 11.9% which is about 75% reduction when
compared to unreinforced aluminium[19].
Hardness
Bulk Hardness was tested using standard Brinell
hardness testing Machine. Load applied was 10kg and
indenter used was square diamond indenter. Hardness
value of unreinforced Al is found out to be 79.9 BHN and
after the addition of 10% SiC and 10% fly ash its
hardness increased to 95.7 BHN[19].
Table 2 Mechanical Properties of Hybrid MMCs at various Composition[19]
Composition Tensile Yield
Sample Al(%) Weight in % Density strength strength Elongation Hardness
No. grams Mg SiC Fly ash g/cm3 N/mm2 N/mm2 in % (BHN)
1 100 1.5 0 0 2.6000 236 220 19.4 79.9
2 100 1.5 5 0 2.4660 248 236 19.0 85.3
3 100 1.5 10 0 2.3125 265 257 18.2 87.2
4 100 1.5 0 5 2.4400 245 233 16.3 80.6
5 100 1.5 0 10 2.2700 263 252 15.8 83.8
6 100 1.5 5 5 2.2000 276 262 14.4 88.2
7 100 1.5 5 10 2.1250 278 269 13.8 89.7
8 100 1.5 10 5 2.1170 285 275 12.8 93.9
9 100 1.5 10 10 2.0600 293 287 11.9 95.7

Aluminium Graphene
Graphene is a 2-dimensional material consisting of sp2
hybridized carbon atoms, having unique mechanical,
thermal and electrical properties. In particular, graphene
is specified by both superior tensile strength of 125GPa
and Young modulus of 1 TPa [19]. Graphene, if used as
reinforcement in Aluminium based MMCs can reduce the
weight as well as improve the mechanical properties.
CVD(Chemical Vapour Deposition) is used to synthesize
wrinkled, curled, overlapped stacks of graphene sheets
and then these graphene sheets are synthesize by
Powder Metallurgy to form GNPs/Al composite.
Microstructure and morphology are studied using
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and EDS.
Results and Discussion:
SEM and EDS Analysis
The surface of Al-graphene composite coating changes
significantly with high roughness and a good deal of
asperities in comparison with pure aluminium coating
shown in Fig 1(a). Graphenenano-platelets suspended in
the electro-deposition solution move toward the cathode
with the electro-deposition solution by magnetic stirring
and get incorporated into the deposit along with the
growing aluminium layer. The embedded graphenenano-
platelets endow aluminium ions with abundant active
nucleation sites due to its high large specific surface area
and excellent electrical conductivity, which leads
aluminium ions to be reduced on the surface of
embedded graphenenano-platelets preferentially. This
explains the appearance of Al-graphene composite
coatings[19]. A lot of small bright white wires or sheets
like structures marked with white arrows distribute on
the surface of composites and they are graphenenano-
platelets not being covered completely by aluminium
coating shown in Fig 1(b) and EDS analysis is shown in
Fig 1(e).
SEM images of (a) Al coating; (b) Al-graphene composite;
(c) asperities in the composite coating; (d) higher
magnification of composite with EDS; (e) EDS of selected
point in (d). 524N. Li et al. / Materials and Design 111
(2016) 522–527
The distribution of carbonaceous composition
along the straight line in and the carbon content is high
at the position of bright white wire or sheet like
structures, which demonstrates the distribution of
graphenenano-platelets in the composite is shown in Fig
2.
Fig. 2. SEM image of Al-graphene composite coating (a)
and (b) EDS spectrum selected line in (a)[19].
The following result are shown when Aluminium with
1.00GNPs:
Density
The density of the samples was calculated using
Archimedes Principle. Before Extrusion, the density of Al
is 2.70g/cm3, after the addition of [(Al(1.00GNPs)] the
density decreased to 2.6901g/cm3. Similarly After
Extrusion, the density of Al is 2.70g/cm3, after the
addition of [(Al(1.00GNPs)] the density decreased to
2.6911g/cm3 [19].
Tensile Strength
Tensile behaviour was tested using computerized UTM
testing machine as per the ASTM E-8 standards. . Before
Extrusion, ultimate tensile strength of Al is 105MPa, after
the addition of [(Al(1.00GNPs)] ultimate tensile strength
increased to 108MPa. Similarly After Extrusion, the
ultimate tensile strength of Al is 186MPa, after the
addition of [(Al(1.00GNPs)] ultimate tensile strength
increased to 203MPa[19].

Yield Strength
Yield Strength was tested using computerized UTM
testing machine as per the ASTM E-8 standards Before
Extrusion, yield strength of Al is 57MPa, after the
addition of [(Al(1.00GNPs)] yield strength increased to
59MPa. Similarly After Extrusion, yield strength of Al is
112MPa, after the addition of [(Al(1.00GNPs)]yield
strength increased to 145MPa[19].
Failure Strain
Failure Strain was tested using computerized UTM
testing machine as per the ASTM E-8 standards. Before
Extrusion, failure strain of Al is 18%, after the addition of
[(Al(1.00GNPs)] failure strain increased to 10%.
Similarly After Extrusion, failure strain of Al is 15%, after
the addition of [(Al(1.00GNPs)]failure strain increased to
13%.[19]
Hardness
Bulk Hardness was tested using standard Vicker
hardness testing Machine. It is observed that the
hardness value increases with increase in GNPs
composition in matrix. Before Extrusion, hardness value
of Al is 69Hv, after the addition of [(Al(1.00GNPs)]
hardness value increased to 77Hv. Similarly After
Extrusion, hardness value of Al is 76Hv, after the
addition of [(Al(1.00GNPs)] hardness value increased to
90Hv [19].
Table 3 Mechanical Properties of Al-Graphene at various Composition[19]
Sample Condition Al GNPs Density Tensile
Strength
0.2%Yield
Strain
Failure
Strain
Vickers
Hardness
No. grams Wt g/cm3 MPa MPa in % (Hv)
1
Before
Extrusion
100 0 2.7000 105 57 18 69
2 100 0.25 2.6991 119 58 27 71
3 100 0.5 2.6976 116 64 13 74
4 100 1.0 2.6943 108 59 10 77
5
After
Extrusion
100 0 2.7000 186 112 15 76
6 100 0.25 2.6991 166 117 22 80
7 100 0.5 2.6976 175 120 08 85
8 100 1.00 2.6943 203 145 13 90
Aluminium and Titanium Carbide
Aluminium is used in wide areas and also lot of research
is going on. The aluminium is cheeper than other
material and also good mechanical properties, corrosive
resistance and improve the strength by using
reinforcement .there are many reinforcement for
example (TiC,SiC,Al2O3,BN)[11]. TiC is one of the
hardest material ,it has good thermal conductivity.by
using the TiC is the reinforcement. The AL-TiC metal has
higher hardness, good wear resistance, low density,
young’s modulus[11].
Experimental Procedure
The aluminium matrix composite of(AA7075)metal and
titanium carbide of average size of 2µm is used for the
reinforcement the material .the aluminium alloy is take
into the furnace and melted at 800°C. after the melting
the magnesium ribbon is added to the alloy so that the
reinforcement of the matrix is dispersed[12]. The 2%TiC
powder is added to the metal at 800°C to remove the
moisture ,drift etc. while using stir casting process , it
rotating at constant speed of 300rpm for 15 minutes the
uniform mixture of matrix and reinforcement material.
The metallic moulds is preheated at400°C.the cooled at
room temperature while process is repeated for different
percentage of TiC, the composite is carried by hardness
test, wear test and microstructure[13].
Result and Discussion
Hardness Test
The test is conducted by Vickers hardness testing
machine at room temperature of diamond 10mm
diameter and load of 5kg is applied for three different
place taking average hardness value of the material. The
hardness of the material is 202GPa at 8%wt.the
hardness of the material is decreases with increasing the
weight of more than 8%.the hardness is maximum than
other metal reinforcement matrix[13].
Tensile Test
The tensile strength of the material is increases by
adding Tic. The elongation of the material is also
increases of about 130MPa by adding 8%weight . there is

increases in% of weight the elongation of the material is
reduced . the TiC improves the mechanical
properties[13].
Wear Test
The wear rate of the material is increasing % percentage
of the TiC. the improvement hardness and reduced the
area contact.the area of contact decreases the wear rate
decreases.the wear rate minimum at 8%of weight.[13]
Micro structure
The micro structure is conducted by optical microscope
and sem test microscopy. The micro structure of ALTiCof
different % of weight.the uniform distribution of the
reinforcement of material. one the most consideration of
fabrication of material the solidification rate is achieve
by intra granular distribution of particles during the stir
casting process.[13]
Fig 3. Reinforcement of Tic OF 8% and 10%
Aluminium Oxides(Al2O3)reinforcement
Aluminium alloys have good mechanical and physical
properities compare to metals. while improving
hardness, strength and wear resistance by using
reinforcement of Al2O3 it has high density ,hardness
and strength .the MMC is mostly used in automobile
industry and aerospace because of its hardness and wear
resistance[10]. In the present work, aluminium alloy
reinforced with various percentages of Al2O3 particles
(5, 10, 15 and 20 wt %) were prepared .the
reinforcement of MMC is prepared stir casting process.it
is the most economical method of froming metal matrix
composites and also microstructure analysis ,hardness
test , wear resistance also calculated[5].
Experimental Procedure
The composites used in the experiments are produced by
the stir casting method .For Al-Al2O3 composite material
,Aluminium alloy powders are mixed with Aluminium
oxide (Al2O3) particles of uniform size (400 µm) in the
weight fraction of 5%, 10%, and 15%. Moisture in the
particles is evaporated by adding the particle
reinforcement into the matrix early in the process,
before it disperses into the molten metal matrix. the
wettability between the reinforcement particles and the
metal matrix improves. All the samples are melted in the
furnace for 2 hours at 700°C. The molten composite is
then left to solidify on the ceramic plate inside the
furnace.
Result and Discussion
Density
The density of Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) is relatively
higher than the reinforcement of silicon carbide (SiC).
the composite MMC are significantly lighter than gray
cast iron of density 7.2g/cm3.the composite difference
the pure aluminium alloy has density of 2.70 g/cm3and
also the weight percentage of(5%,10%,15%,20%)has
2.73,2.86,3.02 g/cm3.compare to the silicon carbide of
20%wt has 2.81 g/cm3[5].
Tensile strength
The tensile strength is measured by using Brinell and
Rockwell Hardness test .the tensile strength is lesser
than silicon carbide (SiC). the bonding of MMC is poor .if
the bonding should be strength by reinforcement act as
strengthening agent and it is filled in the pores of the
metal composites which creates a stronger bonding.it
show in Table no.4[5]
Table 4 Hardness and Tensile Strength of Al-Al203MMC
Composition with
Al2O3wt%
Rockwell
Hardness
(HR)
Brinell
Hardness
(HB)
Tensile
Strength
(MPa)
100% Al 25 70 241.5
Al with 5%Al2O3 31 76 262.2
Al with 10%Al2O3 40 80 276.0
Al with 15%Al2O3 42 82 282.9
a b
TiC
Ti
Agglomera

Micro Structure
The microstructure test is conducted by using optical
microscopy and sem tester. Microscopy of different
composites materials such as Al+5wt%Al2O3, Al+10wt%
Al2O3, Al+15%Al2o3,Al+20%Al203,as show in figures
a,b,c,d. the uniformly distribution of reinforcement
particles is. one the most consideration of fabrication of
material the solidification rate is achieve by intra
granular distribution of particles during the stir casting
process.
Fig 5Micro structure of aluminium oxide
Conclusion
The literature review reveals the microstructure and
various improvements occurred in the mechanical
properties of aluminium Metal Matrix Composite due to
the addition of various reinforcing materials such as SiC,
TiC, Fly ash, Al203, Grapheneetc..Stir Casting is used to
fabricate the Aluminium MMC. Magnesium is used to
improve wettability of MMC.
i. In comparison with the density of pure Al and its
reinforcement, the density of fabricated Al Metal
Matrix Composite is greatly reduced .
ii. Al with 10% SiC shows great improvement in
the mechanical properties such as Hardness,
Tensile Strength, Elongation etc..
iii. Al with 10%SiC and 10% Fly ash shows slightly
greater improvement in mechanical properties
in comparison with Al-SiC MMC due to the
addition of fly ash.
iv. Al-Graphene is fabricated through powder
metallurgy, after extrusion of Al MMC the
mechanical properties increases, however Al-
Graphene is quite costly when compared to
other Al MMC.
v. Al with 8% TiC shows increase in mechanical
properties, however increase in %TiC after
results in decrease in mechanical properties.
(a) 5 % wt Al2O3 (b) 10 % wt Al203
(c) 15 % wt Al203 (d) 20 % wt Al203

vi. Al with 15% Al203 shows slighter improvement
in mechanical properties in comparison with
pure Al.
References
1. Preparation of Aluminum Based Metal Matrix
Composite by Thermal Spraying Gagandeep
Singh and Manpreet Kaur
2. Aluminium metal matrix composites - a
reviewB. VijayaRamnath, C. Elanchezhian, RM.
Annamalai, S.Aravind, T. Sri AnandaAtreya, V.
Vignesh and C.Subramanian
3. Study on Machinability of Aluminium Silicon
Carbide Metal Matrix Composites-
RabindraBehera a, S.Kayal b, N.R. Mohanta c,
G.Sutradhard
4. Corrosion of Metal-Matrix Composites with
Aluminium Alloy substrateb. Bobić, s. Mitrović,
m. Babić, i. Bobić
5. Fabrication and characterisation of
Al2O3/aluminium alloy 6061 composites
fabricated by Stir casting -Bhaskar Chandra
Kandpala,* Jatinderkumarb , HariSinghc
6. Preparation of Hybrid Aluminium Metal Matrix
Composites by Using Stir Process
V.Chandramohan*, R.Arjunraj
7. Tamer Ozben, ErolKilickap and OrhanCakir //
Materials processing technology 198 (2008)
220-225.
8. SedatOzden, RecepEkici and Fehmi Nair //
Composites: Part A 38 (2007) 484.
9. D. Sujan, Z. Oo, M.E. Rahman, M.A. Maleque and
C.K. Tan // Engineering and Applied Sciences 6
(2012) 288.
10. Physio-mechanical Properties of Aluminium
Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with Al2O3
and sic-D. Sujan, Z. Oo, M. E. Rahman, M. A.
Maleque, C. K. Tan
11. Mechanical and tribological properties of
AA7075–tic metal matrix composites under heat
treated (T6) and cast
conditionsveeravalliRamakoteswaraRaoa,∗,
NalluRamanaiahb,MohammedMoulanaMohiuddin
Sarcarc
12. Microstructure characterization and thermal
properties of Al-tic sintered nanocompositesn.
Selvakumara,⇑, M. Sivarajb, S. Muthuramanc
13. Microstructure and mechanical properties of an
Al-tic metal matrix composite obtained by
reactive synthesis NassimSamer,
JérômeAndrieux, Bruno Gardiola, Nikhil
Karnatak, Olivier Martin, Hiroki Kurita, Laurent
Chaffron, Sophie Gourdet, Sabine Lay, Olivier
Dezellus
14. Uvaraja, C. and Natarajan, N.: Comparison on
Al6061 and Al7075 with SiC and B4C
reinforcement hybrid metal matrix composites,
IJART, Vol.2, pp,1–12, 2012.
15. Micro structural aspects of Aluminium Silicon
Carbide Metal -Matrix Composite 1C.Neelima
Devi, 2N.Selvaraj, 1V.Mahesh-Na Li , Lan Zhang ,
MitingXu , Tian Xia , XinweiRuana, Shan Song a,
Huizhong Ma
16. Aluminium Based Metal Matrix Composites for
Aerospace Application: A Literature Review
Amitesh*, Prof V. C. Kale
17. Development of Al/Sic5%, Al/Sic10%,
Al/Sic15%, Metal Matrix Composite And Its
Comparision With Alumi-nium Alloy – LM25 On
Tribological Parameters JaleesAhemad1, Prof.
S.V. Bhaskar2, Prof. R. A. Kapgate3, Prof. N.
D.Sadaphal4, Prof. S. B. Kharde5
18. Aluminium alloy metal matrix composite: a
review P w. A. Ajibola,
19. Evaluation of mechanical properties of
aluminium alloy 2024 reinforced with silicon
carbide and fly ash hybrid metal matrix
composites 1mahendra boopathi, m., 2k.p.
arulshri and 3n. Iyandurai.
20. Production and characterisation of aluminium-
fly ash composite using stir casting method-
j.anandatheerthan, sudiptkumar
21. Mechanical properties of fly ash reinforced
aluminium alloy (al6061) composites h.c.
anilkumar 1, h.s. hebbar 2and k.s. ravishankar
22. Hybrid Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite
Reinforced With sic and tib2 JohnyJames.Sa,
Venkatesan.Kb, Kuppan.Pc*, Ramanujam.Rd
23. Mechanical Behaviour of Graphene Reinforced
Aluminum Nano composites A.Mokhalingama*
amechanical Engineering Department, Malaviya
National Institute Of Technology, Jaipur-
302017,India , Dinesh Kumara, Ashish
Srivastavaa
24. Fabrication of Aluminium Metal Matrix
Composites with Particulate Reinforcement: A
Review, Sumankantb, C.S.Jawalkarc, Ajay Singh
Vermad, N.M.Surie

A Review on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to A Review on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites

Similar to A Review on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (20)

More from IRJET Journal

More from IRJET Journal (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

A Review on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites