Mechanical Properties and Microstructure Studies of Aluminium (7075) Alloy Matrix Composite Reinforced with Short Basalt Fibre

In the current research work, aluminium (7075) alloy composites containing different volume fraction of short basalt fibre were successfully developed through the stir casting process. Characterization studies were conducted on the Al (7075) alloy andits composite samples to evaluate the mechanical and microstructural properties. The experimental strength values of the composites were then compared with the theoretical values. The mechanical properties evaluation reveals an improvement in hardness and the strength values with the amount of fibre addition. From the experimental studies, the optimum volume fraction of short basalt fibre in Al 7075 alloy on the basis of microstructure and mechanical properties is found to be 6 vol% .Microstructural characterizations of composite samples reveals the presence and homogeneous distribution of basalt fibres and the second phase precipitates in the Al matrix. The strength value comparisons with various theoretical studies suggest that the experimentally found values best suits the theoretical studies considering the random distribution of basalt fibres in the Al (7075) matrix.