A Comparative Study of the Mechanical Behavior of Al6061/Nickel and Al6061/Chromium Metal Matrix Composites.

Abstract

The present work is mainly focused on the comparative study of the mechanical characteristics of Al6061/Nickel and Al6061/Chromium metal matrix composites. Al6061 based metal matrix composites reinforced with varying proportion from 0% to 2.7% in steps of 0.9%, developed through stir casting route. Graphite and magnesium added in fixed fraction 2.7 wt.% and 0.9wt.% to improve self-lubrication behavior and wettability respectively. Mechanical characterization was carried out for the developed MMCs. Nickel plays a vital role to enhance the strengthening effect as compared to chromium. Al6061/Ni MMCs shows superior mechanical properties like ultimate tensile strength, hardness as compared to Al6061/Cr MMCs, whereas better elongation, flexural and impact strength observed for Al6061/Cr MMCs. The results of this work revealed that nickel and chromium changed the structure of Al6061 alloy and therefore enhanced the mechanical characteristics.