Comparative Study on Cavitation Erosion Resistance of A356 Alloy and A356FA5 Composite

Abstract

In the present study, an aluminum alloy A356 composite with addition of 5 wt% fly ash was synthesized and subjected to the cavitation erosion resistance test in order to find out if this material can be used in conditions where the cavitation erosion resistance is expected. Obtained results were compared with that of as-cast aluminum A356 alloy, confirming that composite possessed better cavitation erosion resistance than original alloy and that fly ash can be used as an effective reinforcement in metal matrix composites production. Scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy was used for microstructural analysis. Phase identification of fly ash was carried out using X-ray diffraction analysis. Several methods for monitoring the cavitation erosion resistance of A356 alloy and corresponding composite were applied, such as: mass loss (Delta m), volume loss (Delta V), level of surface degradatiom (P/Po) and pit depth.