Synthesis and Characterization of Al-Cu composite

Shashwat Thakur, Divyanshu Nilay, *Prof. Suresh Chand (Project Mentor), Department of Materials and Metallurgical
Engineering,
Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh

Brief Introduction:
Metal matrix composites are designed to achieve high strength properties. Many of the investigations have shown improved
mechanical properties but are limited with low and poor ductility. An optimized combination of surface and bulk mechanical
properties may be achieved if Al-MMCs are processed with a controlled gradient of reinforcing particles and also by adopting
a better method of manufacturing. With this background, in the present investigation an attempt has been made to know the
homogenization effect, hardness and mechanical properties of Al–Cu composite material.

Objectives: Results and Discussion:

The hardness of the cast sample was found to be greater
• Synthesis of Al-6.5wt%Cu and Al-11.5wt%Cu
than pure Aluminium by around 51%[2]. This was due to
composite.
the presence of fine and uniform distribution of
particulates.
• Characterization of the samples with the help of
The microstructural analysis showed fine dispersion of
Metallurgical microscope and Rockwell hardness
Copper particulates in the matrix and homogenous
tester.
distribution which tends to increase the hardness of the
composite[1].
• To study the effect of change in microstructure and
hardness of both the samples.

Experimental Procedure: Hardness (Pure Al vs Al-Cu

HREHRE
vsvsIndentation
Indentation
Hardness
comp.)(Pure Al
The composites of following compositions has been 95
100
HRE VS 100
prepared: 90 INDENTATION vs Al-Cu comp.)
Samples Copper(wt%) Aluminium(wt%) 90
85
50
100
2
80
80 0
Sample 1 6.5 93.5 0 I1I1 I2I2 I3
I3 Avg. Pure Al Al-Cu comp.
Sample 2* 11.5 88.5
1. Synthesis
The composite was prepared in the bottom pouring
type stir casting furnace. Aluminium was first melted at
790degC in the presence of inert atmosphere of Argon.
After its melting copper powder(40microns) was added
to the melt and the stirrer was switched on. The copper
powder has been pre-heated upto 400degC in the
muffle furnace for enhanced mixing in the melt. The Figure: (a) Indentation vs Hardness Graph (b)Hardness of pure Aluminium vs
melt was then poured and allowed to solidify. cast aluminium (c) Microstructure of Al-6.5wt%cu composite
Stirrer speed 500rpm
Stirring time 10 minutes Conclusion:
Successfully synthesized Al-6.5wt%Cu composite and
2. Characterization microstructural analysis and hardness testing was done and
The casting was then cut into a sample(20mmx20mm) it was found that the homogenization of the copper
on the bench-vise. The sample was grinded on the reinforcement was good and hardness increased with
grinding wheel and then on the emery papers with the reinforcing the matrix with copper.
grit size ranging from 400-1200. Sample was thereafter
polished on the polishing wheel using alumina as
abrasive. Future Scope:
The hardness of the sample was taken on the Rockwell Future studies include the synthesis of Al-11.5wt%Cu
hardness tester on HRE scale having 0.125inch composite, study of change in microstructural and
diameter steel sphere as indenter. mechanical properties and study the morphologies of the
The microstructural study was done on the composites through SEM. The optimum amount of
metallurgical microscope to study the homogenization reinforcement addition in the matrix will be studied for
of copper reinforcement in the matrix. Keller’s reagent enhanced mechanical properties.
was used as an etchant to study the microstructure.

References:
[1] I.A.Ibrahim, Particulate reinforced metal matrix composites-a review, Journal of materials science, 26, 1991, 1137-1156.
[2] Madhusudan, S., Sarcar, Fabrication of aluminium–copper composites. Journal of Alloys andCompounds, 471(1),2018, 116–118.