Numerical and experimental investigation of the mechanical properties of MWCNT/RHA reinforced AlP0507-based hybrid aluminum metal matrix composites

Abstract

The present study investigates the mechanical properties of AlP0507-based metal matrix composites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and rice husk (RHA) using experiments and numerical simulation. To achieve this goal, an AlP0507-based MWCNT/RHA hybrid metal matrix composite was fabricated by stir casting method. Subsequently, microstructural analysis using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and EDAX was carried out for different weight ratios of MWCNTs/RHA. In addition, the tensile, impact, and hardness characteristics of MWCNT/RHA-reinforced aluminum metal matrix composite (AMMC) and hybrid MWCNT/RHA-reinforced aluminum metal matrix composite (HAMMC) were experimentally investigated for different reinforcement weight concentrations. In addition, the tensile, von Mises stress distribution, strain, and deformation behavior of AMMC and HAMMC were numerically investigated using the commercial software Digimat-FE supporting the RVE approach considering particle inclusions. It was also noticed that the optimal addition of RHA/MWCNTs to the AlP0507 melt led to an improvement in the tensile strength, hardness, and impact properties of the composites when compared to the AlP0507 material without any reinforcement. It can also be noticed that after a certain optimal percentage of RHA reinforcement, the tensile strength of AMMC and HAMMC decreases. Further, the examination of the numerical stress distribution facilitates the prediction of the regions that exhibit high levels of stress concentration, potential locations of fracture, or areas where the material may undergo excessive deformation.

Keywords:

• Multi-wall carbon nanotube
• rice husk ash
• aluminum metal matrix composite
• Digimat-FE
• Tensile Properties
• Impact Properties
• Hardness properties

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Ian Philip Jones, The University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

SUBJECTS:

• Materials Science
• Composites
• Corrosion-Materials Science

Authors’ contributions

The experiments were conducted by NS, who also conceptualized the article and authored the initial draft of the paper. LKS provided technical guidance and contributed to the experimental work during the writing process of the article. MKY was responsible for performing editing tasks, composing the review, and engaging in correspondence about the article. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All the required data is already included in the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received from any agency or organization.

Notes on contributors

Nitin Srivastava

Nitin Srivastava is a Ph.D. scholar in the Mechanical Engineering department of Sharda University, located in Greater Noida, India. He obtained a B.tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from KCC Institute of Technology and Management, Abdul Kalam Technical University, Greater Noida, India in 2014, and an M.tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology, Abdul Kalam Technical University, Greater Noida, India in 2019. He is pursuing his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Sharda University, India in 2020. He has 8 years of experience in academia. Research interests include Finite Element Analysis, Polymer-based composites, Metal matrix composites, Sandwich composites with diverse core topologies, and Nanocomposites. Material properties characterization of metal matrix composites, such as mechanical, thermal, strength, and flammability. Failure, vibration, stress, and bending, and micromechanical characteristization of nanomaterials based on polymers.