Mechanical characteristics and failure analysis of AA6082/TiC/graphene hybrid composites

Abstract

The main aim of the present research is to improve the tensile strength of lightweight aluminium alloy 6082, which makes it fit for many advanced engineering applications. Considerable efforts have been made to investigate the tensile characteristics, hardness, microstructural and fractography of AA6082/TiC/graphene composite developed at different reinforcements loadings varying from 1 wt.% to 6 wt. %. The reinforcements used in the current research are TiC and graphene. The aluminium matrix composite fabricated using nanosized particles by stir-casting route. The tensile strength increases with the increase of TiC and graphene particles in the AA6082 matrix up to certain limit i.e. 5 wt.%. Once the reinforcement increases beyond the point at which agglomeration of the particulates starts, the tensile strength and hardness of the developed composites decrease. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for the investigation of elements and morphology. The fractography of the developed composite depicts the morphology of the fractured tensile specimens. The elongated dimples, tear ridges and micro-voids are found during fractography. The failure of the hybrid composites changes from ductile fracture to cleavage failure.