A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTY OF ALUMINUM-ZINC ALLOYS

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e-ISSN: 2582-5208 International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science Volume:02/Issue:10/October -2020

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A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTY OF ALUMINUM-ZINC ALLOYS Ogie Nosa Andrew*1, Ebhota Larry momodu1, Ibhadode Oise2

1Department

2

of Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Nigeria. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, P.M.B 1221, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Aluminium-Zinc base alloys are useful materials for manufacture of automotive parts, electronic/electrical systems, household articles, fashion goods, etc. Also, these alloys are characterized by low melting points and high fluidity that make them suitable for foundry applications. Besides, the diecast Aluminium-Zinc alloys possess an attractive combination of mechanical properties, allowing them to be applied in a wide variety of serviceable applications. In this research work, a comparative study on the microstructure and mechanical property of Aluminum-Zinc alloys was carried out. The Aluminum-Zinc alloys of five varied compositional ratios, with sample A as (77.45%Al and 14.68%Zn); for sample B (72.45%Al and 19.68%Zn); for sample C (67.45%Al and 24.68%Zn); for sample D (62.45%Al and 29.68%Zn); and sample E (57.45%Al and 34.68%Zn). The microstructure test which is to determine the metallography of the alloy was carried out through various procedures starting with the sectioning of the five different sample alloys with a hard saw. Mechanical test via Impact test, hardness test, and tensile test were carried out on the five (5) different samples based on their compositional ratios. The microstructure obtained from the alloys indicates the variance in the grain structure with respect to the compositional variation. The mechanical property test of impact test, hardness test and tensile test shows that with increase in the percentage of zinc addition, the more impact strength, hardness strength and tensile strength it becomes. Keywords: Aluminum-Zinc Alloy, Casting, Mechanical Property, Microstructure.

I.

INTRODUCTION

Alloys are metallic materials prepared by mixing two or more molten metals. They are used for many purposes, such as construction and transportation [1]. Zinc-base alloys offer a series of properties that makes them particularly attractive for die-casting manufacturing and, in general, for foundry technologies [2-4]. Aluminum is a chemical element in the boron group with symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is a silvery white, soft, ductile metal. Aluminum is the third most abundant element (after oxygen and silicon), and the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust. Aluminum is remarkable for the metal's low density and for its ability to resist corrosion due to the phenomenon of passivation. Structural components made from aluminum and its alloys are vital to the aerospace industry and are important in other areas of transportation and structural materials. It is a light metal (sp. Gravity 2.7) which melts at 658 ยบC and boils at 1800 ยบC. Aluminum is malleable and ductile especially between 100 ยบC and 150 ยบC near about its melting point. It becomes brittle and can be grounded to powder. It is also an excellent conductor of heat and electricity [5-8]. Zinc, in commerce is also spelter, which is a chemical element with symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element of group 12 of the periodic table. In some respects zinc is chemically similar to magnesium, its ion is of similar size and its common oxidation state is +2. Zinc alloys generally have high impact strength compared to other die casting alloys, zinc alloys greatly improve on this property over the pure metal, allowing more complex fabrication methods to be used. They are applied in the construction field for the production of roofing, downspouts, gutters, flashlight reflectors, parts for lamps, etc. Lately, a new zinc alloy for extrusion and forging has been also developed [9-11]. Aluminum-Zinc alloy are alloys whose main constituents are Aluminum and Zinc. This alloy is designed to compete with bronze, and cast iron, due to that these alloys uses sand and permanent mould casting methods. Distinguishing features of Al-Zn alloys include high as cast strength, excellent bearing properties, as well as low energy requirements (for melting). One of the main differences between aluminum and zinc alloys is that zinc has a lower melting temperature and requires lower pressures for casting. The addition of zinc to aluminum (in conjunction with some other elements, primarily magnesium and/or copper) which produces heat-treatable aluminum alloys of the highest strength. The zinc substantially increases strength and permits precipitation hardening [12-15].

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