Effect of Flyash Treatment on the Properties of Al-6061 Alloy Reinforced with SiC–Al2O3–C Mixture

Studies are conducted on an Al-6061 alloy reinforced with in situ ceramic mixture (Al2O3–SiC–C). The mixture is prepared by carbothermal reduction of flyash in a plasma reactor, where SiO2 is converted to SiC. The strength values for Al-6061-flyash (FA) and Al-6061-plasma synthesized flyash (PSFA) composites are 35% and 63% higher than that of the Al-6061 alloy. Wear resistance of the developed alloy composite prepared with treated flyash (Al-6061-PSFA) has increased two-fold in comparison to virgin alloy (Al-6061) and 1.5 fold higher in comparison to a similar alloy composites prepared with untreated flyash (Al-6061-FA). The unique property of the developed alloy composite is due to harder SiC particle reinforcement. Excess carbon in the form of graphite and the unique morphological feature of microstructure have enhanced the properties such as strength and wear resistance of the developed alloy composite.