Evaluation of the mechanical and microstructural properties of an Al7075/B4C/Gr FGM plate fabricated using a stir casting process

This study investigates the fabrication and characterization of a functionally graded suspension plate utilizing a hybrid composite of Al7075T6 alloy with dual reinforcements (graphene [Gr] and boron carbide [B4C]) developed using a stir casting technique. The suspension plate's middle portion was graded with three compositions to achieve five layers, with Gr added in conjunction with B4C. The experimental and computational techniques were utilized to determine the molten material required for each gradation. Results revealed a 5.1 % deviation between the experimental and the computational results. This study assessed the mechanical properties, such as tensile, hardness and residual stresses, to evaluate the resistance to deformation and predict the fatigue behavior as a result of residual stress. The results indicated simultaneous improvements in hardness and fatigue strengths with increasing concentrations of B4C and Gr. X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopic analyses were performed to confirm the presence of constituents and assess the size and distribution of crystallites.