Mechanical properties investigation of composite FGM fabricated from Al/Zn

Abstract

Abstract This article investigates the novel mechanical behavior of metal–metal gradients (Al/Zn) of the functionally graded materials (FGM) type. The experimental work includes the manufacture of three different models (FGM 1, FGM 2, and FGM 3) with various proportions of volume fraction and gradation as (100% Al–50% Al–50% Zn–50% Zn–50% Al–100% Zn), (100% Al–30% Zn–70% Al–70% Zn–30% Al–100% Zn) and (100% Al–70% Zn–30% Al–30% Zn–70% Al–100% Zn), respectively. The annealing process was carried out to eliminate the casting problems of the FGM. Mechanical tests such as tensile and hardness were performed using different parameters of the gradient of properties for each model. Hardness tests for each model were carried out by the circumferential method along the rod made of the FGM and in the radial direction from the core of the models and at different distances. In the third model, the modulus of elasticity and ultimate strength were 79 and 377 MPa, respectively. The densities of the three models were measured experimentally and theoretically. The results show that model FGM 3 has a tensile strength of 6, which is 10% more than that of models FGM 1 and FGM 2. The results showed a significant improvement of 22% in the tensile strength on average compared to the aluminum–zinc alloy. The circumferential method of hardness testing gives variant results than the radial type due to the properties of FGMs.