Mechanical and wear behaviour of aluminium hybrid composites reinforced with varied aggregates of alumina and quarry dust

The microstructural characteristics, mechanical and wear behaviour of aluminium hybrid composites reinforced with alumina and quarry dust were investigated in the present study. Alumina and quarry dust mixed in varied weight ratios was utilized to prepare 10 wt. % hybrid reinforced Al6063 based composites using two-step stir casting. Hardness, tensile properties, optical microscopy, and wear tests were used to characterize the composites produced. The results showed that hardness increases with increase in alumina addition by 6.68-22.6 % and reduces when the alumina concentration is beyond 7.5 wt. %. The ultimate tensile strength increases by 0.7-13.6 % with increase in alumina addition. The fracture toughness and % elongation of reinforced composites are lower and the value decreases with increase in alumina addition. The composition with 5 wt. % quarry dust and 5 wt. % alumina has about 21.6 % increase in wear resistance which is the best among the compositions also has an overall optimum combination of properties that may be useful for design of components for automobile application.