Improving Mechanical Properties of AI6061 Matrix Composites by RHA

Metal Matrix Composites are engineered materials with a combination of two or more dissimilar materials to obtain enhanced properties. The widespread acceptance of particulate metal matrix composites (MMC) for engineering application has been hindered by the high cost of producing components. Advanced composite materials like metal matrix composite is gradually becoming very important materials in manufacturing industries e.g. aerospace, automotive and automobile industries due to their superior properties such as light weight, low density, high strength and absorb vibrations. In today's life high performance on low cost product is required and well needed. In this present investigation Al (6061) alloy has been used as a matrix material and agro waste rice husk ash (RHA) as an reinforcement to form a composite by using two step stir casting process. RHA has been used because it is the only agro waste which contains the maximum amount of silica. Since RHA is obtained as a byproduct solid waste during milling of rice it is completely free of cost and available in abundance. To assess the performance of the composites the mechanical properties, microstructural analysis were used.