The Effect Of Particle Volume Fraction On The Mechanical Properties Of Aluminium Flyash Mmc

The aluminium flyash metal matrix composite (flyash MMC) of A380 alloy was produced by a low cost full liquid route. The tensile strength and hardness properties of up to 20% (vol.) flyash particles (microspheres) in flyash MMC were measured. The volume fraction and the distribution of flyash microspheres in the flyash MMC were determined by an image processing technique. The results show that both the tensile strength and the hardness of the flyash MMC decrease with increasing microsphere volume fraction in the flyash MMC which is likely due to the presence of porosity and debonding. The microstructure of the fracture surface of the tensile test specimens suggests that debonding between the microspheres and aluminium matrix is the main reason for this lowering of the mechanical properties. However, strength to weight ratio of the flyash MMC is similar or marginally better than the pure alloy. The measured density of the flyash MMC was found to be 15% to 20% lower than the matrix alloy.