Mechanical and microstructural behavior of novel AA5052+Si3N4 MMC and comparing the performance with as cast AA5052 authentic alloy

The objective of this research is to enhance the mechanical strength of the novel aluminium alloy 5052 (AA5052) by reinforcing silicon nitride (Si3N4) particulates and comparing it with as-cast AA5052. Aluminium metal matrix composite (AMMC) was developed by reinforcing the matrix of AA5052 with various weight percentage of silicon nitride (Si3N4) particles (0%, 3%, 6%, 9%) by conventional stir casting route. Microstructural characterization and mechanical characterization such as tensile strength, hardness and impact strength were done for the cast composite (experimental groups) and the results were compared with cast alloy (control group); 20 samples are considered for each group for each test. Addition of Si3N4 improves strength and grain reinforcement and 9% weight fraction of Si3N4 produces higher tensile strength, hardness and impact strength. Higher tensile strength (206.5 MPa), micro-hardness (108 HV) and impact strength (26 J) was obtained for
$\text{AA}5052 + 9\%$
Si3N4 AMMC with a significance value of 0.000
$(\mathrm{P}\unicode{x000A1} {0.05})$
among the considered group. Within the limits of this study, it was evident that
$\text{AA}5052+\text{Si}3\mathrm{N}4$
has better mechanical properties compared to cast AA5052 and other composites due to higher weight fractions and uniform distribution of ceramic particulates producing higher strength.