Experimental analysis on hardness and compression strength of Al6061 reinforced by silicon carbide hybrid composite using bagasse fly-ash and aloe vera ash

Abstract

The demand for low-density composite materials utilized for structural applications and automobile body parts, resulting in high stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios initiated the production of this composite material. The objective of this work is to produce and assess Al6061 Silicon carbide and inexpensive reinforcements of Aloe vera and Bagasse ash. The hardness and compression strength characteristics of the composite, by altering the wt. % of reinforcements were assessed and contrasted. The stir-casting method was used to create this hybrid composite at 700°C. The parameters used to produce this hybrid composite were the composition of reinforcements, powder mixing ratio, and stirring the slurry as done at 600 rpm for 10 minutes. Eight sets of composites were prepared by varying the percentage of Silicon carbide, Bagasse ash, and Aloe vera ash. The prepared composite, compressive strength tests using (ASTM standard D 695) and micro hardness tests (ASTM E18-15 standard) were carried out. The result shows that the compression strength rose with the growth of the bagasse ash and aloe vera ash contents. The highest compression strength of Al6061-10 wt. % SiC, 10 wt. % bagasse ash, and 11 wt. % Aloe vera ash hybrid composite is 376.3 MPa. Al6061-10wt.%SiC-9wt.% bagasse ash – 9wt.% Aloe vera ash and Al6061-10wt.%SiC-10wt.% bagasse ash – 11wt.% Aloe vera ash provided the highest hardness values, measuring 91.16 HV and 91.6 HV, respectively. The hybrid composite's hardness value rose from a single reinforced Al6061/SiC composite by 16.27%. It is determined that the hardness and compression strength of Al6061 composite materials are significantly increased by the addition of bagasse and aloe vera ashes.