Enhancement of Tribological and Mechanical Properties via Soda-Lime Silica Glass Reinforced Al-Mg-Zn Matrix Composite.

BACKGROUND

A large volume of waste Soda-Lime Silica (SLS) glass has become a major environmental concern due to improper disposal and limited recycling utilization. At the same time, the increasing industrial demand for high-strength-to-weight ratio materials has opened opportunities for incorporating SLS glass as reinforcement in aluminium matrix composites.

METHODS

In this study, a novel aluminium, magnesium, zinc and SLS glass hybrid metal matrix composite (MMC) was developed, using an ultrasonic vibration-supported stir-squeeze casting process. Glass reinforcements of 1, 2, 4, and 5 wt.% were incorporated to investigate their influence on the microstructural, mechanical, and tribological properties of the composite. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Strain Rate Jump (SRJ) Gleeble compression test, micro-hardness, impact, pin-on-disc dry sliding wear test, wear morphology were conducted for comprehensive characterization of the cast specimen.

RESULTS

SEM pictures revealed the uniform dispersion and strong matrix-reinforcement bonding. The hardness of the fabricated composite increased by ~ 23% as the reinforcement content increased from 1 to 5 wt.%, whereas the toughness reduced by ~ 46%. The SRJ test conducted using a Gleeble thermo-mechanical simulator clearly illustrates lower compressive strength for the composites reinforced with 4 wt.% and 5 wt.% SLS glass, whereas the sample having 2 wt.% reinforcement exhibited the highest strain-rate sensitivity. The 2 wt.% composite exhibited the lowest wear during the pin-on-disc dry sliding wear test, which can be attributed to the synergistic effects of Zn and Mg, along with the strengthening imparted by the well-dispersed glass particles. At higher reinforcement percentages, micro-fracturing and wear damage became more pronounced.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the composite reinforced with 2 wt.% SLS glass offered the best balance of strength, toughness, and wear resistance. By valorising waste SLS glasses, these hybrid composites can be utilized for lightweight, structural and wear-critical applications, thereby advancing sustainable manufacturing.