Tribo-mechanical, microstructural and corrosive behaviour of recycled aluminium modified with chromium micro/nano particle-based composites

Recycled aluminium has received greater attraction in the past few decades but the presence of certain impurities often impacts the properties of these alloys. The presence of chromium is known to enhance the properties of aluminium alloys. The influence of nano powders into the recycled aluminium matrix has not been explored to a greater extent. The present study aims at analysing the behaviour of the recycled aluminium under the influence of micro and nano powders of chromium. The research primarily utilized Troma scraps as the foundational material for experimentation. Varied concentrations of chromium-ranging from 0 to 0.7% of the total melt-were introduced in the form of micro and nano powders. Characterization was done by using optical microscope, image analysis, Field Emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The addition of Cr in the form of nano powder to AlFeSi melt resulted in the formation of intermetallic Al-Si-Cr-Mn-Fe-Cu phases with polyhedral and irregular shape that enhanced the hardness and wear properties of aluminium alloy.