Abstract:
Nowadays, increasing the specific strength of a material to reduce fuel consumption and its impact on the environment is a challenge for material scientists. Aluminum metal matrix composites (AMMCs) are playing a big role in automotive and aerospace technology where structural stability and energy consumption are critical concerns. The selection of the reinforcing materials determines the final property of the composite. Extensive studies have been done on Al2O3, SiC, B4C, WC, Ti2O, and ZrO2 reinforced AMMCs. But limited studies have been conducted on metallic oxide reinforced AMMCs. Studies conducted on aluminum matrix reinforced with MgO, CuO, TiO-CuO, and Sic-CuO particulates showed great improvement in mechanical properties. Hybrid reinforced AMMCs showed better results than monolithic reinforced AMMCs. Studies have been done separately on MgO and CuO reinforced AMMCs. These studies revealed CuO and MgO are successful candidates for the development of high-performance AMMCs. But, studies on hybrid CuO-MgO reinforced AMMC are limited. The objective of this research was to fabricate and characterize hybrid CuO-MgO reinforced AMMC produced by the powder metallurgy routine. AMMC specimens reinforced with 0, 2, 4, and 6 weight percentage of (CuO + MgO) are produced by using the powder metallurgy method. Powders are weighted to give the specified weight fraction. The weighted powders are mixed for 30 minutes with stainless steel bearing balls. The mixed powders are compacted with a pressure of 200 MPa and vacuum sintered at a temperature of 625 0c for 1 hour. Test specimens were prepared according to ASTME9 standard for compression strength, Rockwell hardness, and density and porosity measurements. The ultimate compressive strength increased from 65.3 MPa (100 wt% Al) to a maximum of 87.8 MPa at 2 wt% (CuO + MgO) and then declined. The hardness test result showed the hardness increased as (CuO + MgO) content increased. Maximum Rockwell hardness 91.4 HRH is recorded at 6 wt%(CuO + MgO). Density measurement showed that porosity of the composites increased as the (CuO + MgO) content increases. As CuO and MgO content increases, the hardness, and porosity of AMMCs increases.