Fabrication of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite and Testing of Its Property

In this paper an attempt has been made to fabricate aluminium metal matrix composite using a newly emerging reinforcement Zirconium silicate which is also called as Zircon (ZrSiO4). The metal matrix selected was Al-6061. The composition of reinforcement with the metal matrix is 10 wt percent. Stir casting bottom pouring technique was chosen to fabricate the composite. From the cast specimen various samples were cut to study its mechanical and tribological property after the addition of reinforcement. The optical and SEM image shows the presence and dispersion of reinforcements in the metal matrix phase. The spectrum processing was carried out and the result confirms the presence of Zirconium, Silicon, oxygen and aluminium. The Vickers hardness test shows elevated hardness value due to the addition of reinforcement ZrSiO4 and its value is 101.1HRC. The tensile specimens were prepared using wire-EDM process as per ASTM-E8 standard. The tensile value reveals that there was an improvement in tensile strength of composite and its value is 0.094Gpa. Also, fractography study was done using scanning electron microscope to understand the causes of failure of specimen. Wear test was carried out on the composite using a linear reciprocating tribometer. The wear test result confirms high wear resistance due to the addition of ZrSiO4 reinforcement in aluminium matrix.