Abstract
Aluminium metal matrix composites are an exclusive class of materials that
have improved performance parameters than their pure metal-based counterparts. These
composites are widely used in structural, marine, aviation, defense and mining
industries. Numerous synthetically derived hard ceramic reinforcements were widely
researched for property enhancement of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites, but, the
exclusivity and the economic concerns of the synthetic reinforcements paved the way
for widespread studies of agro-waste-based and industrial waste based Aluminum
Metal Matrix Composites. In the current study, Bamboo Leaf Ash, an agro waste
derived ceramic reinforcement based Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite; Al
7075/Bamboo Leaf Ash is fabricated using the Liquid Metallurgy Stir Casting
technique with varying volume percentages from 2% to 8% of reinforcements in the
matrix by weight. Mechanical and Microstructural characterization of the metal matrix
composite is performed to ascertain the degree of improvement in properties of the
composite compared to the base metal. The results from the study confirmed that a
sound composite with higher hardness and strength was obtained. The microstructural
characterization also confirmed that the grain structure is significantly refined, leading
to property enhancement.