Microstructural analysis and properties of Al-Cu-Mg/bagasse ash particulate composites

The effects of bagasse ash particles on the as-cast microstructure and properties of Al-Cu-Mg alloy composites produced by double stir-casting method have been studied. 2-10 wt% bagasse ash particles were added. The microstructure and phases of the alloy particulate composites produced were examined by SEM/EDS and XRD methods. The physical and mechanical properties determined includes: density, ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, compression strength, hardness values and impact energy. The results revealed that, additions of bagasse ash reinforcement increased the hardness and compression strength values by 43.3% and 57.7%, respectively, the density and impact energy decreased by 10.27% and 45%, respectively, as the weight percent of bagasse ash increases in the composites. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increased by 49.76% and 34.25% up to a maximum of 8 wt% bagasse ash addition, respectively. These increases in strength and hardness values are attributed to the distribution of hard and brittle ceramic phases in the ductile metal matrix. The microstructure obtained reveals a dark ceramic and white metal phases, which resulted into increase in the dislocation density at the particles-matrix interfaces. These results show that better properties are achievable by the addition of bagasse ash to Al-Cu-Mg alloy.