Production of Alumina Reinforced Al6013 Matrix Composites from Scrap Aluminum and Investigation of Their Mechanical Properties

Abstract

In this study, Al6013-Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> composites with different reinforcement ratios of alumina (Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>: 3, 6, 9 wt.%) were produced via the stir casting technique under nitrogen gas. In this scope of work, the microstructure and mechanical properties (density, Vickers hardness, porosity ratio) of the produced composites were thoroughly investigated based on varying reinforcement ratios. According to the mechanical test results, the highest Vickers hardness (153±4 HV), lowest porosity ratio (5.86%) and highest tensile strength (458±7 MPa) were detected in the Al6013-6%Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> composite among Al6013-Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> composites. In SEM analyses, it was seen that Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> was agglomerated when it was reinforced by 9%. As a result, it was determined that the mechanical properties of the material improved with the reinforcement of Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> and graphene up to certain proportions (6 wt.%) into the Al6013 matrix. Furthermore, the stir casting method has proven to be an effective production method under nitrogen gas. © 2025, Gumushane University. All rights reserved.