IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Volume: 05 Issue: 03 | Mar-2016, Available @ http://www.ijret.org 172 A COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION ON PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MMC REINFORCED WITH WASTE MATERIALS Ajit Kumar Senapati 1 , Viplav Saumya Manas 2 , Akash Singh 3 , Shaktipada Dash 4 , Pratik Kumar Sahoo 5 1 Associate Professor, Mechanical Department, Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Odisha, India 2,3,4,5 Student, Mechanical Department, Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Odisha, India Abstract Abstract— Aluminium alloy based metal matrix composites (MMC) are produced with agro waste Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and industrial waste Fly Ash as reinforcement. By the continuous stir casting method the MMCs were fabricated in a bottom pouring furnace at 7000C. A rectangular metal mould was used to prepare the casting having dimension 300x50x20 mm3. The effect of adding the different reinforcement were realized through various mechanical behaviour tests. Based upon the standards in the mechanical workshop samples were prepared for measuring mechanical properties such as Impact strength, Compression strength, Tensile strength, Brinell hardness and Density test of both the MMCs. The Fly Ash and Rice Husk distributions in the MMCs were confirmed through the examinations conducted of the microstructure on image analyzer and scanning electron micrographs. Results thus found revealed that there is a great effect of reinforcing Flyash and Rice Husk in aluminium alloy matrix composites. Fly ash gave more enhanced mechanical properties as compared to Rice Husk. Thus selection of waste material from industry based and agro based for reinforcement was found one of the most important criteria for fabricating aluminium matrix composites. Keywords: Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs), Flyash, Rice Husk Ash (RHA), Mechanical Properties, Physical property. --------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. INTRODUCTION A metal matrix composite (MMC) can be defined as the composite material with at least two constituent parts such as different metals or a ceramic or organic compound. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) generally consist of lightweight metal alloys of magnesium, aluminum, or titanium, reinforced with ceramic particulate, whiskers, or fibers. As it determines different mechanical properties, cost, and performance of the given composite, so the reinforcement is very important. Metal-matrix composite structure can be termed as metal alloy of the matrix and the material in the form of strengthening. The matrix is penetrating the soft part generally having excellent tensile strength, hardness, ductility and thermal conductivity [1,2]. For the development of metal-matrix, light metal composite materials combined with light metal alloys are applied as matrix materials. Now a days designers are looking for the MMCs to provide the extra strength, stiffness, and higher temperature capabilities required for their advanced applications [3,4]. Since last 20years metal matrix composite has become a significant topic for the research and its commercial application [5]. It gives a distinctive physical and mechanical properties. Aluminium metal matrix composites (MMCs) have gained importance in various industries because of their good Mechanical properties. Al-alloy is used as a matrix due to its good casting abilities, high corrosion resistance and low density [6]. In our experiment we are using Stir casting method as it improves the wettability between matrix and reinforced particles. Composites produced by using the waste as reinforcements helps not only clearing environmental issues but also helps in increasing mechanical properties of the composites. Due to the increase in population, a large amount of waste materials are generated from mining, industrial and agricultural activities by the technology development. As the waste materials are hard to disposal, so by recycling the waste material we can use them in automobile, aerospace and construction industries [7-8]. By utilizing fly ash as reinforcement we can improve the hardness of metal matrix composites due to the ceramic reinforcements which are so hard [9]. Fly ash particles are discontinuous dispersions in form of hollow spherical shape used in MMCs. As MMCs are of low density and low cost reinforcement which are available in large quantities as a waste at thermal power plants, so the fabrication of MMCs can be done with relatively low cost [10]. Rice husk is an agro based waste material which is most abundantly available in rice producing countries like India. It is also a good additive for composite material. Use of the Agro-industrial waste not only solve but also their storage and handling as a threat to the environment [11]. By using