Impact of electroless Ni-P coated pumice particles on the mechanical properties of scrap aluminium metal matrix composites

The present research attempts to investigate the mechanical properties of scrap aluminium (Al1100) metal matrix composites reinforced with electroless Ni-P-coated and uncoated pumice particles. The fabrication of composite samples involves the use of stir casting procedures, where scrap aluminium alloy is used as the matrix material and both Ni-P coated and uncoated pumice particles are used as reinforcements. By using the electroless method to coat the Ni-P on the pumice particle surface, which enhances the wetting and improves the bonding between the matrix material and reinforcement. Four types of composite samples, i.e., scrap aluminum (RAS) without reinforcement, parent aluminium (As-cast) without reinforcement, and scrap aluminium alloy reinforced with coated and uncoated pumice (2 wt%) particles. Pdcl2 2 and sodium hypophosphite are used to prepare the bath for the electroless Ni-P coating, in that Pdcl2 2 acts as the surface activation agent. Based on trial runs, the pumice particles are selected with a size of 50 mu m for Ni-P particle coating purposes. To analyze the tensile strength and surface morphology of AMMC samples using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images and X-ray diffraction (XRD). From the results, it is observed that the highest value of tensile strength, 198.9 MPa, and hardness value, 30 HV, are achieved for scrap aluminium matrix reinforced with Ni-P coated pumice particles compared to other AMMC samples.