"Development and Characterization of Copper-Coated Basalt Fiber Reinforced Aluminium Alloy Composites"

The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of copper coated basalt short fiber reinforced Al alloy composites and was compared with uncoated basalt short fiber Al metal matrix composites (MMCs). Five different wt. % of basalt short fiber reinforced Al MMCs were prepared by squeeze casting technique 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% basalt short fiber MMCs. Both type of MMCs (coated and uncoated basalt fiber reinforced Al MMCs) were tested for elastic modulus, ultimate tensile strength and ductility along with microstructural change as per ASTM standard. The result shows the coating of Cu on basalt short fiber increases the Young‟s modulus, due to the homogenous distribution of basalt short fiber and the alignment of these fibers parallel to the axis with minimum segregation in the alloys, the ultimate tensile strength also increased due to their matrix strengthening and reduction in the alloy grain size, but the ductility significantly decreases due to the voids. The microstructure and fracture surfaces of both MMCs were examined using optical and SEM micrographs respectively. The lack of observed fiber pull-out on fracture and improved mechanical properties resulted due to the good wetting of the fibers by the liquid alloy