Effect of MgO addition on physico-chemical, mechanical and thermal behaviour of Al/Si3N4 composite material developed via hybrid casting technique

In the present investigation, aluminium based composite material developed by using Si3N4 as primary reinforcement material and MgO as secondary reinforcement material by hybrid casting techniques. The microstructure of composite developed by hybrid casting technique showed a uniform distribution of Si3N4 and MgO particles in the AA2024 aluminium alloy. Maximum tensile strength and hardness were found to be 214.5 MPa and 78 BHN for heat-treated AA2024/7.5% Si3N4/5% MgO composite material. Minimum thermal expansion was also found for AA2024/7.5% Si3N4/5% MgO composite material. However, minimum corrosion loss was found for AA2024/10% Si3N4/2.5% MgO composite material. Though, toughness and ductility were reduced by adding the Si3N4 and MgO particles in AA2024 aluminium alloy. XRD analysis of AA2024/7.5% Si3N4/5% MgO composite material was also observed to see the effect of Si3N4 and MgO particles addition in AA2024 aluminium alloy.