Development of rare earth element-based hybrid aluminium composites using stir casting process.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Metallurgy
• Composite Materials

Background:

• Aerospace and marine industries require lightweight, high-strength, durable materials.
• Aluminum composites offer excellent strength-to-weight ratios and mechanical properties.
• Optimizing reinforcement combinations is key to enhancing aluminum composite performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of varying Cerium Oxide (CeO2) content on the mechanical and corrosion properties of hybrid aluminum composites.
• To evaluate the synergistic effects of CeO2, Silicon Carbide (SiC), and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) as reinforcements.
• To determine the optimal CeO2 percentage for enhanced material characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of four hybrid aluminum composite samples using a modified stir casting process.
• Incorporation of fixed percentages of SiC (1%) and MWCNT (0.1%) with varying CeO2 content (1% to 2.5%).
• Assessment of tensile strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance of the fabricated composite samples.

Main Results:

• Tensile strength and hardness peaked at 2% CeO2 reinforcement.
• Corrosion resistance consistently improved with increasing CeO2 content.
• The hybrid composite demonstrated significant enhancements in mechanical and physical properties.

Conclusions:

• Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) act as an effective hybridizing agent when combined with SiC and CeO2.
• Optimized CeO2 content (2%) in hybrid aluminum composites significantly boosts mechanical performance.
• The developed aluminum composites show promise for applications demanding superior strength, durability, and corrosion resistance.