Studies on mechanical behavior and morphology of alumina fibers reinforced with aluminium-4.5% copper alloy metal matrix composites

Present investigation aims at the development of Aluminium-4.5% Copper with Alumina fibers (Al2O3) material to form hybrid composite material through Squeeze Casting Process. Samples of 10, 20 and 30 wt% of Alumina Fibers in Aluminium-4.5% Copper matrix were prepared. The various tensile properties of the materials viz., ultimate tensile yield stress were evaluated utilizing a standard 40 ton Universal Tensile Machine of model UTM ZD the ultimate tensile strength tests were as per ASTM E8-82 guidelines. The tensile specimens of diameter 10 mm and gauge length 80 mm were machined from the cast specimens with the gauge length of the specimens parallel to the longitudinal axis of the castings. The ductility of the specimens was assessed in terms of percentage elongation and Yield stress. The corrosion test results are presented for both base material and with reinforced material. The corrosion rate decreased with the duration of immersion. Aluminum-4.5% copper and aluminum-4.5% copper with alumina fibers showed a weight loss intermediate between the two in the chosen corrosion medium. The hybrid composite (aluminum-4.5% copper with alumina fiber reinforcement) specimens showed better corrosion pitting resistance than the base specimens. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was used to study the morphology of the composite materials. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.