Call For Paper - Upcoming Conferences

Research Article | Open Access | Download PDF
Volume 13 | Issue 7 | Year 2026 | Article Id. IJME-V13I7P110 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I7P110

Mechanical and Microstructural Analysis of Al 6061 Hybrid Composite Reinforced with SiC, TiC and Marble Dust


Aditya Balkrishna Kale, Sachin Ganpatrao Ghalme

Received Revised Accepted Published
09 May 2026 23 Jun 2026 13 Jul 2026 30 Jul 2026

Citation :

Aditya Balkrishna Kale, Sachin Ganpatrao Ghalme, "Mechanical and Microstructural Analysis of Al 6061 Hybrid Composite Reinforced with SiC, TiC and Marble Dust," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 13, no. 7, pp. 122-131, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I7P110

Abstract

In the present study, hybrid aluminum metal matrix composites containing Silicon Carbide (SiC), Titanium Carbide (TiC), and Marble Dust is fabricated using the stir casting technique and systematically investigated. A Taguchi L9 orthogonal array is employed to optimize the reinforcement combinations and to evaluate their effect on mechanical performance. Hardness and compression tests were conducted to assess deformation resistance and compressive load-bearing capability. The experimental data show improvement in both hardness and compressive strength with an increase in the amount of reinforcement, with a hardness increase from 29.83 HRA to 51.3 HRA and the compressive strength reaching to 412 MPa, while maintaining acceptable density levels from 2.78 g/cm3 to 2.9 g/cm3. Compression testing using 0.2% offset method showed improvement in resistance to yielding under compressive loading. Microstructural analysis performed by scanning electron microscopy indicated a homogeneous distribution of reinforcement particles and a higher density of the matrix phase with an increase in the amount of reinforcement, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy confirmed a homogeneous distribution of elements. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed the stable phases of aluminum, SiC, TiC, and marble dust without the presence of harmful intermetallic compounds. The data demonstrate the potential of marble dust as a sustainable reinforcement material for aluminum matrix composites, as well as the synergistic effect of strengthening.

Keywords

Hybrid composite, Stir casting, Microstructure, Mechanical properties, Sustainable reinforcement material.

References

  1. Chitti Babu Golla et al., “Influence of TiC Particles on Mechanical and Tribological Characteristics of Advanced Aluminium Matrix Composites Fabricated through Ultrasonic-Assisted Stir Casting,” Crystals, vol. 13, no. 9, pp. 1-20, 2023.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  2. Pardeep Sharma et al., “Microstructural and Mechanical Behavior of Microstructural and Mechanical Behavior of Aluminium Alloy Reinforced with TiC,” Materials Today Proceeding, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 934-937, 2020.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  3. Pankaj Beldar, and Snehal Kadbhane, “Mechanical and Wear Analysis of AA6061-T6-SiC-TiC-Graphite Metal Matrix Composite,” Materials Letters, vol. 382, 2025.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  4. Manvendra Yadav et al., “Erosion Behavior of Al–SiC and Al–WC MMCs via Powder Metallurgy under Solid Particle Impingement,” Scientific Reports, vol. 14, pp. 1-15, 2024.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  5. Lucia Lattanzi, and Anders E. W. Jarfors, “Advances in Metal Matrix Composites: Structure, Properties and Applications,” Crystal, vol. 15, no. 12, pp. 1-5, 2025.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  6. Jaswinder Singh, and Amit Chauhan, “Characterization of Hybrid Aluminum Matrix Composites for Advanced Applications – A Review,” Journals of Material Research and Technology, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 159-169, 2016.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  7. Chinmayee Kar, and B. Surekha, “Characterisation of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with Titanium Carbide and Red Mud,” Materials Research Innovations, 25, no. 2, pp. 67-75, 2021.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  8. P. Senthilkumar, R. Manimaran, and Y. Krishna Reddy, “Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Al7009 Nanocomposite,” Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 216-224, 2021.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  9. N. Radhika et al., “Periodic Advancement of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites: Tribo-Mechanical Performance, Corrosion Properties, Challenges and Future,” Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 2397-2420, 2024.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  10. V.K. Parikh et al., “Fabrication and Processing of Aluminum Alloy Metal Matrix Composites,” Materials and Manufacturing Processes, vol. 36, no. 14, pp. 1604-1617, 2021.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  11. Chuan Tan et al., “Microstructure, Mechanical, and Machining Properties of 2024 Al Composites Reinforced with TiB2, SiC, and Diamond Particles,” Metals, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 1-20, 2026.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  12. Hassan Raza Channar et al., “Mechanical Properties and Microstructural Investigation of AA2024-T6 Reinforced with Al2O3 and SiC Metal Matrix Composites,” Eng, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 3023-3032, 2024.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  13. Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Zuhairi, and Samir Ali Amin, “Manufacturing of Hybrid Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with SiC and Al₂O₃ : A Review,” Al-Rafidain Journal of Engineering Sciences, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 450-473, 2025.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  14. R. A. Oza, and Anand B. Dhruv, “Influence of Sic Reinforcement on Mechanical Properties of AA2024 Metal Matrix Composites (Ammc) Fabricated via Stir Casting Method: A Review,” Journal Propulsion of Technology, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 1434-1441, 2024.
    [
    CrossRef] [Publisher Link]
  15. Getachew Gashaw, Eyob Sisay Yeshanew, and Ramesh Babu Nallamothu, “Fabrication, Mechanical Properties and Microstructural Analysis of Al/SiC-Bagasse ash Hybrid Composite,” Discover Applied Science, vol. 7, pp. 1-19, 2025.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  16. C.S. Ramesh et al., “Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ni–P Coated Si3N4 Reinforced Al6061 Composites,” Material Science and Engineering: A, vol. 502, pp. 99-106, 2009.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  17. Y. Sahin, “Preparation and Some Properties of SiC Particle Reinforced Aluminium Alloy Composites,” Material & Design, vol. 24, no. 8, pp. 671-679, 2003.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  18. A. Baradeswaran, and A. Elaya Perumal, “Influence of BC on the Tribological and Mechanical Properties of Al-7075-BC Composites,” Composite Part B: Engineering, vol. 54, pp. 146-152 2013.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  19. Sohan Lal, Rajeev Sehrawat, and Neeraj Sharma, “A Short Review on the Developments of Aluminium Matrix Composites,” Materials Today: Proceeding, 2023.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  20. M.K. Surappa, “Aluminium Matrix Composites: Challenges and Opportunities,” Sadhana, vol. 28, pp. 319-334, 2003.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  21. J. Hashim, L. Looney, and M.S.J Hashmi, “Metal Matrix Composites: Production by the Stir Casting Method,” Journal of Material Processing Technology, vol. 92-93, pp. 1-7, 1999.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  22. S. Balasivanandha Prabu et al., “Influence of Stirring Speed and Stirring Time on Distribution of Particles in Cast Metal Matrix Composites,” Journal of Material Processing Technology, vol. 171, no. 2, pp. 268-273, 2006.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  23. Daniel B. Miracle, and Steven L. Donaldson, Introduction to Composites, ASM Handbook, ASM International, Materials Park, vol. 21. 2001.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]