Investigations on microstructure and tensile properties of as-cast ZA-27 metal matrix composite reinforced with zircon sand

Zinc-Aluminum alloys are employed as a bearing material in various machinery. In the present work zircon sand microparticles of size, 100 µm are dispersed in ZA-27 alloy with weight fractions of 1.5 wt%, 3.0 wt%, 4.5 wt%, and 6.0 wt% to synthesize ZA-27 metal matrix composites by stir casting. Microstructure studies using, SEM/EDAX conducted to determine the morphology of the particles and the ZA-27composites. Physical properties like density and porosity of the zircon sand microparticulate reinforced ZA-27 are evaluated and their effect on strength and ductility of the composites are evaluated using the tensile test. dispersion of zircon sand is seen in the SEM micrographs and EDAX confirms the same. The results obtained revealed an increase in tensile strength and yield strength at 3.0 wt%, 4.5 wt and 6.0 wt% at the cost of a reduction in percentage elongation when compared to ZA-27 alloy. The tensile behavior of ZA-27 composites is found to be affected by the dispersion of reinforcement in the matrix arising due to dislocation density.