Mechanical Testing of Hybrid LM30 Metal Matrix Composite Fabricated through Stir Casting Route

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are one of the strongest contenders for the application that demands excellent mechanical and physical properties. Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (Al MMCs) are reinforced materials with improved mechanical and physical properties as compared to the base material. Composite material made through the stir casting process possesses higher elastic modulus, wear resistance, strength, and fatigue resistance. In the present research work, LM30 alloy is chosen as a matrix material and is reinforced with Zircon Dioxide (ZrO₂), Rice Husk Ash (RHA), and Tungsten Carbide (W.C.). A stir casting setup is used to fabricate the three different composites. Composite A, Composite B, and Composite C have the composition of (LM30/5%WC/5%ZrO₂/10%RSH), (LM30/10%WC/5%ZrO₂/5RSH), (LM30/5%WC/10%ZrO2-/5% RHA), respectively. Further, mechanical testing, which includes tensile, compressive, hardness, and Charpy impact tests, has been conducted. It has been found that Composite B possesses the highest hardness, maximum tensile, and compressive strength among all three composite materials.