Experimental Investigation on Influence of Particle Size on Mechanical Properties and Wear Behaviour of A356-RedMud Metal Matrix Composite

摘要

This research paper investigated the effect of various particle sized T6 heat treated A356 alloy with red-mud based composites on wear behaviour (sliding and abrasive wear), mechanical properties such as micro-hardness, tensile, compression and impact strengths. In this work, three different particle sizes (53, 75 and 103μm) was selected to fabricate the composite specimens using stir-casting technique with 15% volume fraction of red-mud. The specimens were given T6 heat treatment for 4-hour time at 200°C. The specimens were subjected to wear and mechanical properties examinations as per ASTM standards. It was found that the micro-hardness, tensile, compression and impact strengths of the composites were increased with smaller size of red-mud particles were added in the composite. The wear rates were decreased with finer size of the particles were added. The wear tests are also indicated that abrasive wear rate was more than the sliding wear rate. The worn-out surfaces of the specimens were then analyzed using SEM to study the wear mechanisms and they were correlated with the wear test results. It is concluded that the particle size has larger influence on the mechanical and wear behavior of the composites produced.