Mechanical and thermal behaviour of stir cast sillimanite/red mud/LM25 Al‐alloy metal matrix composite

Abstract

This paper investigates the mechanical and thermal characterization of hybrid metal matrix composites of sillimanite/red mud/LM25 aluminium alloy produced by stir casting process. The weight percentage of red mud and sillimanite are taken 5 %, 10 % and 15 % in the ratio of 1 : 1. Energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed that both reinforcements are present in the base alloy. The aluminium‐metal matrix composites exhibit symmetrical distribution of red mud and sillimanite particles when observed through microscopic images, with minimal agglomeration. A detailed analysis is performed on the composites to determine the effects of sillimanite and red mud content on its tensile strength, thermal conductivity and hardness. Experimental results show that the accumulation of reinforcing material enhances the ultimate tensile strength and hardness at the expense of percentage elongation and thermal conductivity.