In recent years, many alloys as well as composites of aluminium were developed for enhanced material performance. AA 6061 is an aluminium alloy that has extensive applications due to its superior material characteristics. It is a popular choice of matrix for aluminium matrix composite (AMC) fabrication. This study provides a review on AA 6061 aluminium alloy matrix composites produced through the stir-casting process. It focusses on conventional stir-casting fabrication, process parameters, various reinforcements used, and the mechanical properties of the AA 6061 composites. Several research studies indicated that the stir-casting method is widely used and suitable for fabricating AA 6061 composites with reinforcements such as SiC, B4C, Al2O3, TiC, as well as other inorganic, organic, hybrid, and nanomaterials. The majority of the studies showed that an increase in the reinforcement content enhanced the mechanical and tribological properties of the composites. Furthermore, hybrid composites showed better material properties than single reinforcement composites. The usage of industrial and agricultural residues in hybrid composites is also reported. Future studies could focus on the fabrication of AA 6061 nanocomposites through stir casting and their material characterisation, since they have great potential as advanced materials.

A Review on AA 6061 Metal Matrix Composites Produced by Stir Casting.

This study deals with the tribological properties of 2 wt.% of SiC and x wt.% of Gr (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3) nanoparticles reinforced Al6061 alloy fabricated through ultrasonically assisted casting technique. Microstructure, various elements, particle sizes, phases, worn surfaces, wear debris are analyzed to understand the tribological behaviour of hybrid nanocomposites. Microstructural studies revealed the uniform dispersion of SiC and Gr nano-reinforcements in the matrix. Nano-clusters appeared in the micrographs with the increase of Gr nanoparticles. Density and microhardness of Al6061–2SiC-xGr hybrid nanocomposites decreased with the rise of Gr in the composite material. Influence of Gr content on the wear rate and coefficient of friction of hybrid nanocomposites are studied. Pin-on-disc apparatus is used to carry out the experiments at 5–20 N normal load, 0.5–2 m/s sliding velocity and 1000–3000 m sliding distance. The wear rate and coefficient of friction of hybrid nanocomposites reduced with the rise of nano Gr content up to a critical value and then increased. The reduction of wear rate for Al6061–2SiC-xGr (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3) hybrid nanocomposites compared to AA6061 alloy at higher tribological conditions is 20%, 40.2%, 47.3%, 57%, 73%, and 64% respectively. Similarly the reduction in coefficient of friction for Al6061–2SiC-xGr (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3) hybrid nanocomposites compared to Al6061 alloy is 3%, 5.9%, 11.8%, 17.7% and 9% respectively. The wear debris size decreased with the rise of Gr content in the Al6061–2SiC nanocomposite.

Tribological Behaviour of Al6061–2SiC-xGr Hybrid Metal Matrix Nanocomposites Fabricated through Ultrasonically Assisted Stir Casting Technique

Optimization of powder metallurgy parameters to obtain low corrosion rate and high compressive strength in Al-MoO3 composites using SN ratio and ANOVA analysis

In this study, Al-Mg metal matrix composite (MMC) materials reinforced with micro-sized SiC, Al2O3 particles were manufactured using powder metallurgy. SiC and Al2O3 particles with 1 μm size were added to the Al-Mg matrix at different volume ratios (15–30%). A mixture of Al, Mg, reinforcement (SiC, Al2O3) powders was mixed at a speed of 16 rpm over a 24 h-time period for a homogeneous dispersion. The mixed powders were pressed at 300 and 600 MPa. Composite materials produced at different pressures were sintered under for 30, 60, 90 min and at 300, 400, 500 °C and allowed to cool in the furnace. The microhardness, porosity, microstructure of Al-Mg/SiC and Al-Mg/Al2O3 composites were investigated and characterized. The highest porosity ratio for all test conditions was measured as being 17% in the Al-Mg composite reinforced with 15% SiC produced at 300 MPa and 400 °C for 90 min. The lowest porosity ratio was measured as being 5.4% in the Al-Mg composite reinforced with 15% SiC produced at 600 MPa and 500 °C for 90 min. In their microstructure studies, a generally homogeneous microstructure was observed.

Saurabh Singh Rajpurohit

Papers

Investigation and Testing of Mechanical Properties of Al-Nano SiC Composites through Cold Isostatic Compaction Process

Modeling and Aerodynamic Analysis of Small Scale, Mixed Airfoil Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Blade

Wear Behavior and Micro-structural Study of Al/Al2O3Nano-composites Before and After Heat Treatment

Mechanical Behaviour Of Friction Stir Welding On Aluminium Based Composite Material