Influence of Blast Furnace Slag Content on the Density, Microstructure, Hardness, and Wear Behavior of Pure Aluminum Matrix Composites Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61326/jaasci.v5i1.501Keywords:
Aluminum matrix composites, Blast furnace slag (BFS), Hardness, Microstructure, Powder metallurgy, Wear behaviorAbstract
This study investigates the effects of blast furnace slag (BFS) reinforcement on the microstructural, physical, mechanical, and tribological properties of pure aluminum matrix composites. Composite samples containing 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 wt.% BFS were fabricated by powder metallurgy. Theoretical and experimental densities were determined, relative density and porosity values were calculated, and the samples were characterized using optical microscopy, hardness measurements, and pin-on-disk wear tests. The results showed that the addition of BFS had a limited influence on the theoretical density due to the similar densities of aluminum and BFS. However, experimental and relative density values decreased at higher reinforcement levels, while porosity increased noticeably. Although all composites exhibited relative densities above 95%, increasing BFS content adversely affected densification behavior. Optical microscopy revealed a relatively homogeneous microstructure at BFS contents of 2–4 wt.%, whereas particle agglomeration and pore formation became more pronounced at higher reinforcement levels. Hardness results indicated that the effect of BFS reinforcement was not linear. Hardness values remained comparable to those of unreinforced aluminum at BFS contents of 2–4 wt.% but decreased significantly at higher reinforcement levels due to increased porosity and particle agglomeration. A similar trend was observed in the wear tests. The unreinforced aluminum sample exhibited the lowest weight loss, while wear loss increased with increasing BFS content. In particular, composites containing 8–16 wt.% BFS showed considerably higher weight loss, which was associated with increased porosity, microstructural heterogeneity, and reduced hardness. The findings demonstrate that blast furnace slag can be used as a low-cost, environmentally friendly reinforcement material in aluminum matrix composites. However, excessive BFS additions promote porosity and agglomeration, which adversely affect densification, hardness, and wear performance. Considering the combined results of density, microstructure, hardness, and wear behavior, BFS contents of 2–4 wt.% provided the most balanced overall performance among the investigated composites.
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