OBRABOTKAMETALLOV MATERIAL SCIENCE Vol. 27 No. 3 2025 groups: matrix-based (metal, polymer, or ceramic) and reinforcement-based (particulate, fiber, or whisker). Currently, particulate metal matrix composites are widely adopted. These composites consist of a base metal (such as aluminum or magnesium) and reinforcement particles (such as silicon carbide (SiC), graphene (C), or boron carbide (B4C), as well as natural materials like rock dust, eggshell, or jute). Various methods are employed to incorporate reinforcements into the base metal; however, stir casting stands out as an effective technique, ensuring a uniform distribution of reinforcement particles throughout the base metal. Aluminum-based metal matrix composites (Al-MMCs) have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their improved mechanical properties, making them suitable for various industrial applications. The incorporation of reinforcement particles, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and graphene, has been shown to enhance the mechanical properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs). These MMCs have gained significant attention in recent years due to their improved mechanical and thermal properties [1]. A substantial enhancement in the material’s mechanical properties is achieved by the addition of components such as graphene nanoplates (GNPs), boron nitride (BN), and vanadium carbide (VC), among others. For example, the hybrid AA7075/GNPs+BN+VC material exhibited superior hardness and compression strength due to the effective use of particle reinforcement [2]. Enhanced mechanical strength can also be achieved through the utilization of boride nanocrystals, such as hafnium diboride (HfB2), which improve hardness and facilitate grain refinement [3]. Optimizing the microstructure of a material can be achieved by employing methods such as equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). This optimization, in turn, affects the yield strength and hardness of the material [4]. To attain optimal outcomes, it is necessary to refine grain size through hybridization and processing techniques. The enhanced grain boundary strengthening resulting from smaller grain sizes contributes to the improvement of the material’s mechanical properties. Strong interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcements is crucial for efficient load transfer, directly influencing the mechanical performance of the composites. Aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) have become increasingly popular due to the advantages they offer compared to monolithic aluminum alloys [5]. The mechanical and tribological properties of AMCs are influenced by several factors, including the processing methods, the type of reinforcement, the size, and the composition of the material [6]. Stir casting, friction stir processing, powder metallurgy, and spark plasma sintering are a few examples of the various manufacturing techniques available for AMCs [7]. Techniques such as stir casting, powder metallurgy, and friction stir processing are particularly significant in establishing a homogeneous distribution of reinforcements throughout the material. Friction stir processing effectively reduces grain size, with reductions of up to 10.3 times compared to the base alloy. This technique utilizes friction to stir the material, enhancing its mechanical properties. During friction stir processing, the uniform distribution of hybrid reinforcement particles contributes to an increase in both the hardness and compression strength of the resulting composites [2]. Powder metallurgy techniques, such as mechanical alloying and hot pressing, are used to enhance the compressive strength, elongation to failure, and microhardness of composites. Researchers have found that hot pressing yields superior mechanical properties for AA2024/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites compared to other techniques, as it facilitates uniform MWCNT dispersion and improved connectivity across interfacial surfaces [8]. Stir casting is a cost-effectivemethod but faces challenges with agglomeration during production. Powder metallurgy is also considered a successful approach for creating hybrid aluminum nanocomposites [5]. Nanocomposites produced via stir casting exhibit enhanced hardness and a lower wear rate. This technique enables the creation of a dense microstructure with minimal porosity, leading to improved mechanical properties in the composite [9]. Silicon carbide (SiC) and boron carbide (B4C) are two examples of established materials used as reinforcements. Powders derived from agricultural waste, such as rice husk ash and coconut shell ash, can also be effectively employed. The use of these reinforcements enhances characteristics such as compressive strength, hardness, and wear resistance [10]. The incorporation of B4C and SiC reinforcements into Al6061 composites has been shown to affect mechanical properties, including hardness, tensile strength, and impact energy [11].
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