Mechanical, Structural and Corrosion behaviour of AlMg4.5/Nano Al2O3 Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract Aluminium-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with ceramic particles are attractive for structural, automotive, military and aerospace applications attributable to their excellent properties such as light weight, high stiffness and strength, high thermal stability, superior wear resistance. An interest has been focused on the nano structured aluminium metal matrix composites, due to their predominant mechanical properties. Specifically, Al-Al 2 O 3 nano composites are attractive for military and aerospace applications. In the present study, AlMg4.5 as a base and with different percentage of Al 2 O 3 nano composites has been successfully stir casted. The effect of nano particles on the evolution of microstructures; hardness and tensile properties were studied and discussed in detail. The castings prepared with nano Al 2 O 3 reinforced exhibited higher hardness and tensile strength of 96 HV and 264 MPa compared to 76 HV and 210 MPa of base metal, respectively, which was due to Al 2 O 3 reinforcements. The static immersion corrosion tests of AMMCs in 3.5 wt. % NaCl aqueous solution showed that, the AMMCs have better corrosion resistance than the pure Al matrix and AMMNC with 6 wt. % Nano Al 2 O 3 exhibited significantly greater corrosion resistance compare to the other AMMNCs combinations.