Experimental investigation on stir and squeeze casted aluminum alloy composites reinforced with graphene

Abstract

In the recent past aluminum alloy based metal matrix composites had played a major role in replacing most of the conventional materials. These composites are preferred due to its superior physical and mechanical properties. This research article is intended to compare the mechanical and microstructural properties of aluminum alloy based metal matrix composites manufactured through stir and squeeze casting processes. Metal matrix composite was fabricated using Aluminum alloy 7050 as the matrix and graphene as the reinforcement material. Composites were fabricated with 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 weight percentage of graphene reinforcement through stir and squeeze casting processes. Microstructures observed on the samples showed uniform distribution of graphene as well as an excellent interfacial bonding with the aluminum matrix. Due to the addition of small quantity of graphene into aluminum alloy matrix, the mechanical properties were enhanced for the samples fabricated through both the processes. The strengthening mechanism of aluminum matrix with graphene addition is found to be favourable due to effective load transfer mechanism and grain refinement. Favorable results were obtained related to mechanical properties with the graphene content of 0.3 wt% through squeeze cast process, which also resulted in defect free castings.