Powder Metallurgy Processing
and Mechanical Characterization
of Iron-Based Composite Reinforced
with Alumina and Zirconium Diboride
Bhupendra Prakash Sharma, G. S. Rao and Umesh Kumar Vates
Abstract In the present manufacturing scenario, iron-based metal matrix compos-
ites are the key requirement for heavy vehicle and structural applications. But, due
to the problem of rapid oxidation during the development of iron-based composites,
this field is only limited up to few research level. In the present research work, an
easy formation of iron-based metal matrix composite materials are proposed through
powder metallurgy process with different mass fractions of zirconium diboride and
alumina reinforcement such as 5% Al
2
O
3
–10% ZrB
2
, 5% Al
2
O
3
–5% ZrB
2
, and 10%
Al
2
O
3
–10% ZrB
2,
all in the form of atomized particles. Further, microstructural read-
ings on cross section as well as surface of the bar and hardness measurements were
attained and investigated. Improved hardness and tensile strength are noted from
newly developed performs.
Keywords Composite · Powder metallurgy · Mechanical properties ·
Microstructural readings
1 Introduction
It is a great challenge to develop proposed metal matrix nanocomposite material
having adequate strength and hardness for heavy vehicle application, specifically in
chassis which contributes maximum weight fraction as an individual component of
any vehicle. Many researchers are striving to develop the metal matrix nanocompos-
ites by using the most suitable fabrication methodology as powder metallurgy (PM)
stir casting techniques and techniques [1]. The ferrous-based PM-processed struc-
tural parts have already been taken over by the automotive and off-highway vehicle
applications due to the fulfillment of desired characteristics of materials from PM
process. It is clear that alloy steels are suitable material for various applications such
as power plants, aircraft, marine industries, and bearing manufacturing units [2].
B. P. Sharma (B ) · G. S. Rao · U. K. Vates
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amity University, Noida,
Uttar Pradesh, India
e-mail: bpsharma@amity.edu
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019
K. Shanker et al. (eds.), Advances in Industrial and Production Engineering, Lecture
Notes in Mechanical Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6412-9_28
303