Mechanical Behaviour of Aluminium Hybrid Composites Reinforced with: Rice Husk Ash - Silicon Carbide - Copper Nanoparticles

Abstract

The mechanical behaviour of Al6063 alloy matrix composites reinforced with rice husk ash (RHA), silicon carbide (SiC) and copper nanoparticles (CuNP) has been investigated. Rice husk ash and silicon carbide mixed in fixed weight ratios of 3: 1 while copper nanoparticles were varied from 1 to 4 weight ratio to prepare hybrid reinforced Al6063 based composites using two-step stir casting and spin casting technique. Hardness measurement, tensile testing, impact toughness, optical and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the composites produced. It was observed that as the density increases with the increase in addition of copper nanoparticles, the porosity reduces. It was also observed that hardness increases with increase in copper nanoparticles addition. The ultimate tensile strength and impact toughness increased with increase in copper nanoparticles. The impact toughness of reinforced composites improved with increase in copper nanoparticles addition. The composition with 4 wt. % copper nanoparticles exhibited superior combination of properties that may be useful for design of components for automobile application.