Effect of Titanium Dioxide Particles on the Morphology, Mechanical, and Wear Properties of the Aluminum Alloy 3003-Based Composites

The application of metal matrix composite is growing in many fields as it possesses the advantage of lightweight. An attempt has been made to form aluminum-based metal matrix composite comprising aluminum (Al 3003) as matrix and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as reinforcement particle. Friction stir process was successfully applied as the stirring process to synthesize the formation of aluminum metal composite. An effort was made to review the effect of a different combination of reinforcement particle concerning weight % ratio with the matrix. Accordingly, five specimens were prepared by addition of TiO₂ with wt% ratio as 0%, 1.5%, 3%, 4.5%, and 6.0%. Microstructure analysis on the characteristics behavior of composite using various techniques like field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy was conducted and compared with the base alloy. Mechanical and tribological characteristics on nugget zone were evaluated by performing tests for impact strength, bending strength, and wear resistance. Mechanical and tribological behavior of composite is found to be beneficial as compared with the base alloy due to deformation followed by grain growth and grain refinement at elevated temperature as the result of continuous dynamic recrystallization in the plastic zone during stirring.