A preliminary study on the manufacturing aluminum–potassium feldspar metal matrix composite materials

This study reports the results of a preliminary study of manufacturing aluminum–potassium feldspar metal matrix composites including its castability and mechanical properties. The material was composed considering 0.25 %, 0.5 %, and 0.75 % additive ratios to examine the impact of the amount of potassium feldspar on the material and mechanical properties of the manufactured aluminum metal matrix composite material. Aluminum alloy (A356) was utilized as the matrix of the composition. The composite material was manufactured by the stir casting technique. The modulus of elasticity, yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, density, and quality index of the material parameters was taken into account to determine the materials′ practicality. The preliminary results indicated that potassium feldspar is a promising mineral to be utilized as an additive for aluminum metal matrix composites since it has a positive impact on mechanical properties. By optimizing the casting parameters, the positive aspects of the potassium feldspar may make the material more practical to be utilized in vast engineering applications. This study presents a preliminary examination of the castability of potassium feldspar and its impacts on the mechanical and material properties of aluminum metal matrix composites for the first time. The preliminary results indicated that potassium feldspar is a promising mineral as an additive for aluminum metal matrix composites since it has a positive impact on mechanical properties.