Stir Cast AA 6063/ Graphene/SiC/Fly Ash Composite: Assessment of Microstructural and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

This study emphasizes the fabrication and characterization of composites with AA 6063 as the matrix reinforced with a hybrid blend of silicon carbide, graphene, and fly ash particles through the stir casting technique. It seeks to elucidate the extent and improvement of mechanical characteristics of the fabricated composites through the synergistic impacts of these reinforcements. Mechanical tests such as hardness, tensile, impact and flexural tests were conducted for assessing the various properties of the metal-matrix composites. The research further validated that a composition of 4 wt % graphene with SiC and fly ash yielded the greatest improvement in mechanical properties. There is an increase in hardness, toughness, tensile strength, and flexural strength by 27.76, 75.67, 119.23, and 98.88% respectively as compared to undoped graphene samples. The enhanced characteristics may be ascribed to a finer grain structure and a homogeneous distribution of reinforcements. However, samples with 6 wt % graphene led to agglomeration hence there are reduction in the mechanical properties. The findings reveal that the developed hybrid metal matrix composites exhibit significantly enhanced mechanical properties, rendering them suitable for advanced structural applications in industries such as aerospace and automotive.