Spodumene reinforced recycled A356.0 aluminium alloy matrix: effect of spodumene content on the compressive strength and wear resistance of an innovative composite

This work presents the development of a novel aluminium matrix composite reinforced with spodumene, a naturally occurring lithium-rich silicate mineral, proposed here for the first time as a reinforcement in metal matrix systems. The matrix material was a recycled A356.0 alloy, widely used in structural and automotive applications. Different fabrication routes were evaluated and the hot forging proved the most effective, producing composites with superior densification and mechanical integrity. Reinforcement contents of 0, 3, 5, and 10 wt.% were investigated. The incorporation of spodumene led to significant improvements: compressive yield strength increased by up to 18%, and wear rate was reduced by approximately 40% compared to the unreinforced alloy. Importantly, these gains were achieved with negligible increases in density ( < 1%), maintaining the lightweight character of the A356.0 alloy. SEM analysis confirmed uniform particle distribution and strong interfacial bonding, especially in forged samples. These findings demonstrate that spodumene is a great alternative reinforcement, offering performance levels comparable to conventional ceramic particles and contributing to the development of eco-efficient, high-performance aluminium composites for lightweight structural and wear-resistant applications.