Study on mechanical properties of Al7050 alloy hybrid composites by stir casting method

Abstract This paper reports on the mechanical properties of Al7050 based hybrid composites reinforced with Zirconium dioxide and fly ash particles. Composites were prepared using a stir casting technique utilizing the different stirring speeds of 200, 250, and 300 rpm. Flyash content was varied from 3 wt% to 7 wt% in steps of 2 wt%, whereas zirconium dioxide was kept constant at 4 wt%. Cast Al7050 alloy and hybrid composites were evaluated for its tensile strength, hardness, and impact strength as per ASTM standards. Significant improvement in tensile strength and hardness was recorded for the hybrid composites added with 7 wt% fly ash, and 4 wt% Zirconium dioxide stirred with at a speed of 250 rpm. Tensile fractured surfaces have been subjected to scanning electron microscopy to analyze the particle dispersion and fracture mechanisms.