Mechanical Behavior of Red mud reinforced Al-5Mg Alloy MMC Material Processed by ECAP

Abstract: The metal matrix composite with Aluminium -5wt%Magnesium (Al-5Mg) alloy matrix and the industrial waste of micro sized Red mud particles were used as reinforcement material with different proportions (5, 10 and 15wt.%) and prepared by stir casting technique followed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP). It was noticed that there is a significant improvement of mechanical properties with an increase in the proportion of reinforcement of red mud up to certain extent in the Al-5Mg matrix composite. Casted billets of composite material are subjected to an annealing treatment of 2250C for 30 minutes so as to homogenize the microstructure of the material. The specimens were prepared from these composites for Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) operation. The effect of ECAP on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-5Mg Red mud composite were evaluated for various weight fractions of red mud. The distribution of reinforcement particles, porosity and grain growth was observed from the optical microscope. The mechanical properties of Al-5Mg base material such as hardness and density were compared with the as-cast Al-5Mg Red mud and ECAPed composites.

Keywords: Al-5Mg metal matrix composite, Red mud, ECAP