Effect of Particle Size on the Fatigue Behaviour of Al–Cu–Mg/Bean Pod Ash Particulate Composites

The fatigue behaviour of aluminium alloy (Al–Cu–Mg)/bean pod ash (BPA) particulate composites was investigated. The composites were produced by stir-casting and double layer feeding method using two particle sizes of BPA (100 µm and 55 nm). The fatigue strength tests were conducted on these specimens with a stress ratio of (R) −1. The results obtained show that composite specimens have longer fatigue lives than matrix alloy. The fatigue limit of 167, 135 and 75 Mpa were obtained for the nano-particle (55 nm), micro-particle (100 µm) BPA composites and unreinforced alloy respectively. The Al–Cu–Mg alloy/BPA nano-particles have lower probability of fracture particles. Hence, low cost BPA nano-particles can be used to enhance the fatigue strength of aluminum matrix composites for automobile industry.