EFFECT OF ADDITION OF FLY ASH AND GRAPHITE PARTICULATES ON THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF Al-7Si ALLOY HYBRID COMPOSITES

Hybrid metal matrix composites are considered as advanced materials in the field of automotive, marine and several industrial applications. In the present work, investigations have been made on effect of dual particulates addition on the mechanical behaviour of Al-7Si ally. Fly ash and graphite particulates were used as the reinforcements in the Al-7Si alloy base matrix. Hybrid composites were prepared by using liquid melt method, keeping 3 wt. % of fly ash constant and varying graphite in steps of 3, 5 and 7 wt. % in the Al-7Si alloy. Samples were tested for microstructural characterization by using scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscope and X-Ray diffraction. Mechanical behaviour like hardness, ultimate tensile strength and yield strength were evaluated as per ASTM standards. Scanning electron micro photographs revealed the uniform distribution of fly ash and graphite particulates in the Al-7Si alloy and confirmed by EDS analysis and XRD patterns. Further, hardness and tensile properties of base matrix Al-7Si alloy was enhanced with the addition of fly ash and graphite particulates.