Analysis of shielding effectiveness and mechanical properties of metal matrix composite AL6061 reinforced with Al2O3 and fly ash for oblique incidence of EM wave

PurposeFiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) contain critical electrical conductivity for high-intensity radiated fields such as lightning strike susceptibility, electromagnetic energy from radar, airborne radio frequency transmitter. To provide high-intensity radiated field protection (HIRFP) for the electric and electronic aircraft system and defied the EMI effect on it, metal matrix composite was conquered. To provide the dynamic ever-increasing requirement of industries, it is necessary that Al6061 metal matrix composite assisted with AL2O3 and fly ash is used to construct the aircraft to provide HIRFP. The thickness of the material can be maintained as low as possible to use it as a coating material for the aircraft surface. X-band for oblique incidence is used to measure electromagnetic and mechanical safeguarding properties of composites.Design/methodology/approachDay by day, the applications of aerospace are becoming digital and automated. Proper shielding techniques are required to operate digital electronic devices without electromagnetic interference. It leads to a rapid rise in temperature, thermal ablation, delamination, and adverse effects on the electric and electronic aircraft system. Fly ash, a metal matrix material composite AL6061 with different percentages of reinforcement of Al2O3, was contemplated and experimented with for mechanical properties like tensile strength, density and hardness.FindingsThe obtained results compared with adjusted values and an improvement of 0.19, 0.18, 0.14 g/cm3 for density of MMC-1, MMC-2, MMC-3.31, 11 MPa for tensile strength of MMC-1, MMC-2. 24, 27, 23 BHN for hardness of MMC-1, MMC-2, MMC-3. With regard to the shielding effectiveness the results compared with adjusted values and obtained 11.36, 14.56, 19.47 dB better value than it. According to the above results, fabricated MMC’s provide superior results for a defined application like HIRFP(Surface material of aircraft).Practical implicationsIt can be used to protect electronic devices under a high-intensity radiated field, mainly in aircraft design to protect from lightning effect.Originality/valueFor a better approximation of the signal toward the practical case, the oblique incidence was considered with a different combination of Al2O3 and fly ash, reinforced to pure AL6061 to get better shielding and mechanical properties.