Abstract:
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are increasingly recognized as advanced engineering materials across various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, thermal management, and wear-resistant applications, due to their exceptional properties, including high tensile strength, hardness, Young’s modulus, and enhanced wear resistance. The mechanical performance of metal matrix composites (MMCs) is depending on the various factors, such as the type, shape, size, volume fraction, and orientation of the reinforcements embedded in the matrix. Al 5083 alloy, characterized by its high magnesium content, is widely used in marine and automotive applications, Automotive Trailers and Caravans, cryogenic vessels, armored vehicles, and wind turbine components. However, it has low wear resistance. Incorporating copper and nickel particulates into MMCs can improve their hardness and, consequently, their wear resistance.
This study investigates how varying weight percentages of copper and nickel particulates affect the mechanical properties of Al 5083/Cu/Ni matrix composites. The results indicate that the composite containing 0% nickel and 3% copper exhibits the highest ultimate tensile strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength among all tested samples. Furthermore, while ultimate tensile and flexural strengths increase with higher copper content, they decrease with the addition of nickel.
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