Research Article Open Access

An Experimental investigation on Properties of Cenosphere reinforced Aluminium metal matrix composite

Abstract

The particle reinforced aluminium based metal matrix composites are gaining importance due to their ease in manufacturing large volumes and property advantages. Cenosphere fly ash is one of the most inexpensive and low density material which is abundantly available as solid waste by-product of coal combustion in thermal power plants. Hence the present research work was undertaken with an objective to explore the utilization of low cost cenosphere as a reinforcing material in aluminium alloy (AA) 6063. The manufacturing method adopted for producing cenosphere-AA6063 was stir-casting which was customized to suit the current study. The volume percentages of cenosphere particulate considered were 5, 10, 15 and 20 used throughout the study. The composites were tested for density, hardness, compressive strength, tensile strength and Coefficient of thermal expansion as per ASTM standards and the results were compared with base alloy.

SaravananVaratharaju, P.R. Thyla2, S.R. Balakrishnan