Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Aluminium Hybrid Composites Using TiO₂ and MoS₂ Particulates by Stir Casting Process
Abstract
In this research, we developed hybrid metal matrix composites (HMMCs) based on an alloy of Al7075, watching its silvery surface glisten and radiate as it cooled. For the purpose of increasing the alloy’s strength and wear resistance, we incorporated the glimmering fine powders of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). We employed the economical stir casting technique, which provides sufficient stirring and even distribution of particles, akin to sugar dissolving in tea. We used composites of 1.5 to 6 weight percent of reinforcements and examined the microstructural and mechanical behaviors of the composites to surface stiffness changes. Close attention was paid to the stirring speed, melt temperature, and mixing times as the parameters, which were adjusted as a chef would attend to a boiling sauce. The fabricated composites were then examined using tensile, impact, and hardness testing until scores were made along the edge of the steel clamp. The addition of TiO₂ and MoS₂ was found to substantially increase the strength and hardness of Al7075 in comparison to the alloy in its unreinforced state, which exemplified scratch resistance in comparison to a blade. Gains came as a result of effective load transfer between matrix and reinforcement.