The Microstructure Investigation on Aluminium
Based Metal Matrix Composite
T.Sivaparthiban#1, A. Saravanapandi solairajan*2
1* PG- Student, Infant Jesus College of Engineering and Technology, Keelavallanadu, Tuticorin, sivaparthi20@gmail.com
2*Assistant Professor, Infant Jesus College of Engineering and Technology, Keelavallanadu, Tuticorin
Abstract- In this study aluminium alloy Al-
6061T6 was reinforced with TiB2 particles by
stir casting method. Metal matrix composites
produced by stir casting method have more
advantages compare with other methods. The
microstructural examination of the composites
clearly shows the formation of TiB2 particles
in the composite material.Microstructure of
the composites was studied by Scanning
Electron Microscopy (SEM).Then the
mechanical property (tensile strength) was
analyzed by UTM machine. Composition of
the samples was analyzed by X-ray diffraction
(XRD). And compared the results of
mechanical properties based on the
percentage of TiB2 present in the MMCs.
Here three different volume fractions were
investigated (5%, 10%, 15%, of TiB2
reinforced with Al-6061T6). The results
showed that increasingthe mechanical
propertytensile strength caused by the
percentage of TiB2 present in the samples.
Keywords- Metal matrix composites,
aluminum, Reinforcement, TiB2, stir casting
method.
1. INTRODUCTION
Recently many research peoples are
focusing aluminum based metal–matrix
composites because of its attractive properties
such as low weight, high specific modulus, high
strength, excellent wear resistance and high
temperature stability. [8, 9] It is having the
combined properties of metals and ceramics. Due
to these excellent properties aluminium based
metal matrix composites have been used in
automobile industries such as engine piston,
cylinder liner, brake drum, etc.
The manufacturing techniques of the
aluminium metal matrix composites are classified
in to three types (1) liquid state methods, (2)
semisolid methods and (3) powder metallurgy
methods. [1] In liquid state methods, the ceramic
particulates are incorporated into a molten
metallic matrix and casting of the resulting
MMC. Stir Casting is a liquid state method of
composite materials fabrication, in which a
ceramic particle is mixed with a molten matrix
metal by means of mechanical stirring. The liquid
composite material is then cast by conventional
casting methods. [6]
Al alloy Al 6061T6 is widely used in
engineering applications including transport and
construction for superior mechanical properties
such as tensile strength, hardness etc., are
essentially required. Its superior corrosion
resistance makes it a suitable candidate material
for marine structural applicationsconstruction of
aircraft structures, such as wings and fuselages,
more commonly in homebuilt aircraft than
commercial or military aircraft. Al6061T6 is
more easily worked and remains resistant to
corrosion. [7]
Aluminium 6061T6 is a metal alloy with
low density and high thermal conductivity. But, it
has poor wear resistance. To overcome this
drawback, this alloy is reinforced with some
other materials so that its hardness, Young’s
modulus and abrasion wear resistance are
increased. [8]
Ceramic materials are generally used to
reinforce aluminum alloys like (SiC, TiC, TiB2,
ZrB2, AlN, Si3N4, Al2O3, and SiO2). From
these reinforcing ceramic particles, titanium
diboride (TiB2) is particularly attractive because
it exhibits high Young's modulus (345-409 GPa),
low density (4.5 g/cm3), superior Vickers
hardness (3400 HV), good thermal conductivity
(̴110Wm-1 K-1 at 25oC), high electrical
conductivity (22 x106 Ω cm), High elastic
modulus and hardness, high melting point
(3225Cº ± 20), superior wear resistance and good
thermal stability. [2, 3]. For these reasons it is
used in a large variety of applications such as
aluminium melting crucibles, corrosion resistant
applications, and metal and ceramic matrix
composites. [4]
The addition of titanium diboride to metal
matrix composites has been observed to greatly
increase stiffness, hardness and wear resistance.
Historically, much of the work in this field has
been directed at aluminium based materials. [5]
In this study reinforcement of the TiB2
with aluminium matrix was carried out, the
microstructure of the composites were
investigated by scanning electron microscope, X
ray diffraction. And also the mechanical
properties like tensile strength, hardness, and
wear resistance were analyzed.
II. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Aluminum alloy 6061T6 was used as the
basemetal. And ceramic material TiB2was used
as a reinforcement.
II.1 Processing:
Aluminum6061T6 was first melted at
8500C, after that TiB2 was addedto the molten
aluminum alloy. Then the molted aluminium
alloy and the TiB2 powder were mixed by using
stirring method.The stirring processwas
happened for 15 to 20 min with the constant
temperature 8500C inside the crucible. The
graphite impeller stirrer was used for this
process. After that the molted metal matrix
composite materials was poured in to the mould
cavity (size 150 X 15 X15mm) and allow this for
cooling by keeping the mould in room
temperature. The size of the composite was
designed based on the requirement of
allmicrostructural andmechanical tests. These
composite manufacturing processes were
repeated for five times for three different volume
fractions.
XRD was used to determine the phases in
the composites. The microstructures were
foundby scanning electron microscopy. In order
to measure the tensile strength of samples they
were made in a cylindrical shape according to
ASTMstandard.
II.2 Specimen preparation for SEM test:
The 10mm diameter cylindrical shape
with 8mm height required for the scanning
electron microscope testing.
II.3 Specimen preparation for XRD test:
The 20 X 30mm rectangular shape with
3mm thickness required for the XRD testing.
II.3 Specimen preparation for tensile strength
test:
The mechanical strength of the composites
specimens will determine by tensile testing. The
test specimens called for in ASTM E8 for testing
metal matrix composites.
Before testing After testing
III.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
III.1 X-ray diffraction analysis:
X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the
matrix specimen and ofthe specimens reinforced
with different wt.% of TiB2 are shown in
Fig.a,b,c Al peaks and TiB2 peaks were indexed
using JCPDS.It showed that the intensity of TiB2
peaks increases with increase inthe amount of
TiB2 in the composite. A gradual marginal shift
inthe Al peaks to higher angles with an increase
in the weight fractionof the reinforcement is
evident, which indicates a decreasein the lattice
parameter of Al.
 III.2 Scanning electron microscope analysis:

(a) XRD result for 5%TiB2+Al6061T6

(a) SEM image for 5% TiB2

(b) XRD result for 10%TiB2+Al6061T6

(b) SEM image for 10% TiB2

(c) XRD result for 15%TiB2+Al606T6

 1. The mechanical characteristics of AA6061T6-
TiB2 aluminium matrix composite was studied
detail above.
2. This shows the increase in the tensile property
of the Aluminium with the reinforcement of
TiB2.
3. Increase in the composition of TiB2 was
clearly found with the help of the images in the
microstructure.
4. This paper results show that the inclusion of
reinforcement TiB2 will improve the mechanical
properties of the aluminium composite.
(c)SEM image for 15% TiB2

SEM images of the surface composite indicate

the TiB2 particle reinforced clearly. The grey
particles are TiB2. And the black color particles V.REFERENCES
are Al6061T6 the distribution of TiB2 particles is
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very uniform. Furthermore this figure illustrated
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the interface condition of TiB2 particles with microstructure and mechanical behavior of Al-
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expansion behavior of hipped aluminum–TiB2
Sl Tensile Strength composites.
n Combinations N/mm2
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showed that the increasing of the strength of the self-propagating high-temperature synthesised
composite with respect to the weight % of TiB2 Fe–TiC and Fe–TiB2 masteralloys.
increasing.
6. Jasmihashim*, the production of cast metal
IV CONCLUSIONS matrix composite By a modified stir casting
method.
7. T.V. Christy1,*, N. Murugan2 and S. Kumar3,
A Comparative Study on the Microstructures and
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Corrosion of metal-matrix composites with
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9. G. Naveen Kumar a, R. Narayanasamy a,*, S.

Natarajan b, S.P. KumareshBabu b,K. Sivaprasad
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