The present study investigates the mechanical and tribological behaviour of Al alloys and Al/ZrO₂ ex-situ composites, focusing on their microstructural evolution and property enhancement. Al/ZrO₂ composites were synthesized using stir casting, incorporating 1, 3, and 5 wt.% ZrO₂ particles. Alloy and composites were characterizedusing X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscope (OM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)to analyse phase formation, particle distribution. Microstructural analysis revealed homogeneous dispersion of ZrO₂ particles, promoting load transfer and matrix strengthening.
Mechanical properties were analysed using Vickers microhardness and uniaxial tensile tests, demonstrating a substantial increase in hardness and tensile strength with increasing ZrO₂ content due to grain refinement, dislocation strengthening, and Orowan strengthening mechanisms. Tribological performance was evaluated using a pin-on-disc apparatus under varying loads (10N- 30N) and sliding speeds (1 m/sec -3 m/sec). The Al/ZrO₂ composites exhibited a significant reduction in the wear (up to 50%) compared to the unreinforced alloy, attributed to the load-bearing capacity of ZrO₂ particles and the formation of a protective tribolayer. Surface morphology of the worn samples, analysed using SEM, indicated a transition from abrasive to mild adhesive wear with the addition of ZrO₂. Further topographical parameters were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) which suggest decrease in surface roughness from 0.87 µm to 0.70 µm at3wt. % of ZrO2 compared to base alloy.
Singh, B. , Trivedi, V. and Goel, A. (2026). Investigation of the Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour of Al Alloy and Al/ZrO2 Ex-Situ Nano Composites. Mechanics of Advanced Composite Structures, (), -. doi: 10.22075/macs.2026.37138.1824
MLA
Singh, B. , , Trivedi, V. , and Goel, A. . "Investigation of the Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour of Al Alloy and Al/ZrO2 Ex-Situ Nano Composites", Mechanics of Advanced Composite Structures, , , 2026, -. doi: 10.22075/macs.2026.37138.1824
HARVARD
Singh, B., Trivedi, V., Goel, A. (2026). 'Investigation of the Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour of Al Alloy and Al/ZrO2 Ex-Situ Nano Composites', Mechanics of Advanced Composite Structures, (), pp. -. doi: 10.22075/macs.2026.37138.1824
CHICAGO
B. Singh , V. Trivedi and A. Goel, "Investigation of the Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour of Al Alloy and Al/ZrO2 Ex-Situ Nano Composites," Mechanics of Advanced Composite Structures, (2026): -, doi: 10.22075/macs.2026.37138.1824
VANCOUVER
Singh, B., Trivedi, V., Goel, A. Investigation of the Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour of Al Alloy and Al/ZrO2 Ex-Situ Nano Composites. Mechanics of Advanced Composite Structures, 2026; (): -. doi: 10.22075/macs.2026.37138.1824
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