Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Alloy 7075 Reinforced with Short Coated Carbon Metal Matrix Composites

Aluminium alloy 7075 matrix composites reinforced with carbon fiber were prepared by stir casting method. For proper wettability, the carbon fibers were coated with nickel using the principle of autocatalytic reduction. The presence of nickel coating on the carbon fibers was thoroughly confirmed through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction studies. The carbon fibers were used at different wt. % of 0, 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The prepared composites were then tested for mechanical properties viz. compression, Young’s Modulus and hardness. The results of this study revealed that, with the addition of nickel coated carbon fibers to the composites, a maximum increase of 10.47%, 10.38%, and 15.38% was observed in ultimate compressive strength, Elasticity and hardness respectively.