Enhanced physical and mechanical properties of Al6061 alloy nanocomposite reinforced with nanozirconia

Al6061 alloy nanocomposite reinforced with (0, 3, 6, 9 wt%) of nanozirconia were fabricated by stir casting technique. The physical properties such as void content, density and mechanical properties such as hardness, impact strength, flexural strength and fracture toughness were evaluated. It was found that nanozirconia has a significant effect as filler for the improvement in mechanical and physical properties. It was found that the addition of 3 wt% nanozirconia resulted in an increase in void content by 21%, hardness by 34%, impact strength by 32%, and flexural strength of 9.6 %. However, porosity was increased due to difficulty in mixing nanozirconia in the molten metal during stir casting. The addition of nanozirconia resulted in more strength, hardness and improved interface bonding between matrix and filler which led to improvement in fracture toughness.