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Characterization and Mechanical Testing of Hybrid Metal Composites of Aluminium Alloy (A356/LM25) Reinforced by Micro-Sized Ceramic Particles

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Abstract

A356/LM25 aluminum casting alloys are widely used in various aerospace, automobile, and engineering applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. With the growing demand for lightweight and high-strength components, aluminum matrix composites have emerged as promising materials for many engineering applications. In this study, we fabricated hybrid composites of A356/LM25 alloy reinforced with micro-sized ceramic particles, including ZrO2, Al2O3, SiC, MgO, and Gr particulates, with different weight percentages (1, 3, and 5%), using the stir casting method. To analyze the composites’ morphology and the distribution of reinforcement, we used Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) combined with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectroscopy at varying magnification levels. We also utilized X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) technique to examine the material powder’s crystalline or amorphous nature. Additionally, we conducted a tensile test to determine the tensile strength and a Brinell hardness test to measure the hardness of the alloy composite. We achieved the highest tensile strength of 305.7 MPa for the LM25 + 1%MgO + 3%SiC composition, while the highest hardness of 96.95 BHN was obtained for the LM25 + 5%Al2O3 composition.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the invaluable support and guidance of our supervisors and professors, whose expertise shaped this research. Their insightful feedback and encouragement were pivotal in bringing this paper to fruition. Additionally, we extend our appreciation to ACMI Industries for their collaborative efforts, providing real-world insights that enhanced the practical relevance of our study. The synergy between academia and industry, facilitated by ACMI Industries, has significantly enriched our research. We express our sincere thanks to all contributors for their unwavering support in advancing knowledge and fostering innovation.

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The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work. No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript. No funding was received for conducting this study. No funds, grants, or other support was received.

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Correspondence to Rahamthulla Khan Sarvani.

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Sarvani, R.K., Mohinoddin, M. & Ramakrishna, L.S. Characterization and Mechanical Testing of Hybrid Metal Composites of Aluminium Alloy (A356/LM25) Reinforced by Micro-Sized Ceramic Particles. J. Inst. Eng. India Ser. C (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40032-024-01064-w

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