Exploratory Analysis on the Physical and Microstructural Properties of Aluminum/Fly-Ash Composite

Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) is an innovative material that has the ability to address demands in a number of industries, including mining, automotive, and aerospace. Stir casting is a well-known technique for making MMC. With weight fractions of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%, this study aims to analyze the impact of fly ash addition on the physical properties of aluminum (matrix) - FA (reinforcing phase) composites.The test for water absorbent was carried for each samples at 25°C immersed in water at different time interval of 24hrs, 48hrs, 72hrs, and 96hrs. The density test was carried out on the AL/FA composite samples. The water absorption test results showed that at 20wt% of fly ash composite, the optimum water absorption (0.4%) result was obtained at 24hrs, and also at 48hrs for 10wt%. The density of the composites increased with increasing amount of fly ash, and attained optimum of 4.08g/cm3 at 30wt%. The surface morphology of the samples was observed using digital metallurgical microscope. The scope of this study is to determine the physical and morphological properties of Al/FA reinforced composites.