Mechanical Properties of AA6016 Si3N4/TiB2 Hybrid Composite Material

This study presents a comparative evaluation of the mechanical properties of AA6016 aluminum alloy with and without 7.5 wt.% hybrid ceramic reinforcement using Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) and Titanium Diboride (TiB₂). The composite was fabricated using the stir casting technique, incorporating 3.75% Si₃N₄ and 3.75% TiB₂ to enhance the base alloy. Mechanical tests, including Vickers hardness was conducted on both the base alloy (0%) and the 7.5% hybrid composite. Results showed a significant increase in hardness (from 66.2 HV to 98.9 HV), indicating the strengthening effect of the ceramic reinforcements. Microstructural analysis confirmed a relatively uniform particle distribution at 7.5% with minor clustering. Overall, the hybrid composite demonstrated improved mechanical performance over the base alloy, suggesting its potential for lightweight and highstrength applications in automotive and aerospace sectors.