Investigations on physical, mechanical and metallurgical characteristics of ZK60/ZrB₂ composites produced by stir casting route

ABSTRACT

This research used Stir Casting [SC] technique through liquid metallurgy route to exert the ZK60-ZrB₂ composites. The dispersoid combination varies in increments of 4 weight percent ZrB₂ particles, from 0 to 12 weight percent for the study. We investigated the mechanical characteristics of the produced composites, including their compressive, flexural, impact, tensile strengths and macro hardness, as well as metallurgical properties like micro vickers hardness and micrographs like Optical Microscopy [OM] and Scanning Electron Microscopy [SEM] were done. We also measured a physical characteristic like density for further evaluation. Prepared and evaluated test specimens in accordance with ASTM standards. An increase in ZrB₂ reinforcement improves the mechanical, metallurgical, and physical characteristics overall, according to the data obtained. From the inferred results the increase in percentage of density, microhardness, macrohardness, tensile, impact, compression and flexural strength are 35%, 30.37%, 51.02%, 37.5%, 140%,41.66% an 56.97% of values. The OM and SEM examinations confirmed that the ZrB₂ particles were spread out evenly in the ZK60 matrix.

Keywords:
Density; Mechanical Properties; Metallurgical Characteristics; SEM; Stir Casting; ZK60; ZrB₂