SciELO South Africa - www.scielo.org.za

SciELO South Africa - www.scielo.org.za

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The microhardness values of hot-rolled Al6061 alloy and its hybrid composites were studied to ascertain the effect of multiple reinforcements. Sample AA1, with no reinforcement, had a microhardness value of 57±2 VHN. With the addition of 2.5% CeO2 and 2.5% TiB2, sample HB1 showed a microhardness value of 83±3 VHN - compared to AA1, about 46% increment in microhardness value was recorded for sample HB1. The other hybrid composites, HB2 and HB3, had microhardness values of 66±2 and 71±4 VHN respectively, representing increments of 16% and 25% compared to AA1. Addition of CeO2 and TiB2 particles resulted in a significant enhancement in microhardness of the Al6061 matrix. However, a higher reinforcement content led to decreased microhardness in hybrid composites HB2 and HB3. Overall higher microhardness values for hybrid composites indicate that both hot rolling and reinforcements increased the resistance to deformation. The increment in microhardness is attributed to densification of the microstructure due to hot rolling and the addition of hard reinforcing phases like CeO2 and TiB2 particles.

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