Thermal expansion of aluminum-fly ash cenosphere composites synthesized by pressure infiltration echnique

P. K. Rohatgi, N. Gupta, Simon Alaraj

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of commercially available pure aluminum and aluminum alloy composites containing hollow fly ash particles (cenospheres) of average size 125 mm are measured using a dilatometer. Three types of composites are made using the pressure infiltration technique at applied pressures and infiltration times of 35 kPa for 3 min, 35 kPa for 7 min, and 62 kPa for 7 min. The volume fractions of the fly ash cenospheres in the composites are around 65%. The CTE of the composites is measured to be in the range of 13.1×10-6-11×10-6/°C, which is lower than that of pure aluminum (25.3×10-6/°C). The infiltration processing conditions are found to influence the CTE of the composites. A higher applied pressure and a longer infiltration time lead to a lower CTE. The theoretical value of the CTE of fly ash cenospheres is estimated to be 6.1×10-6/°C.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1163-1174
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Composite Materials
Volume40
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2006

Keywords

  • Aluminum
  • Coefficient of thermal expansion
  • Metal matrix composites
  • Solidification

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Materials Chemistry

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