The aluminum alloy used as matrix material in the present study is 6061 Mg-Si alloy (AA6061) whose composition is given in Table 1. Al₂O₃ (alumina) and red mud particles used as reinforcement have densities of 3.9gm/ cc and 3.05 gm/cc respectively. The chemical composition of Al₂O₃ and red mud particles used in this study are presented in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively. For manufacturing of the MMCs, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 wt% of reinforcement consisting of Al₂O₃ and red mud particles mixed in equal quantities were used.

The liquid metallurgy technique with optimum care was taken and standard procedure was followed to obtain the cast composites. The matrix alloy was melted in a graphite crucible. Preheated reinforcement particles were added through the periphery of the vortex, which was created by stirring the melt with a mechanical impeller at 450 RPM. Composites contain 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 wt% Al₂O₃. Red mud particles were cast into ingots. The cast ingots were hot extruded at 540˚C on a 50 ton extrusion press with an extrusion ratio of 20:1. Specimens for microstructural characterization and mechanical testing were made from the extruded rod. Tests were carried out as per ASTM standards. The density of material, that is ratio of weight to volume, was obtained by accurately measuring the weight and the volume of the composites. FTM make Rockwell hardness tester served the purpose of measurement of hardness. Carefully polished and mirror finished specimens were examined under SEM to obtain microphotographs. The mechanical properties were evaluated using model UTE40 universal testing

machine of 40 ton capacity.

The experimental densities of the composites were obtained by the Archimedian method of weighing small pieces cut from the composite rods first in air and then in water, while the theoretical density was calculated using the rule of mixtures according to the weight fraction of the combined reinforcement particles. The porosities of the produced composites were evaluated from the difference between the expected and the observed density of each sample.

The hardness of the composites and matrix alloy were measured after polishing to a 1 µm finish. The Rockwell hardness values of the samples were measured using Rockwell hardness tester. Tensile tests were used to assess the mechanical behavior of the composites and matrix alloy. The composite and matrix alloy rods were machined to tensile specimens with a diameter of 8 mm and gauge length of 40 mm. The tensile strength was tested on UTE40 Universal testing machine at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mms⁻¹.

The composite were polished with 400, 600, 800 and 1000 grit sandpapers, respectively. Finally, the polishing was performed on cloth using diamond paste of 6 and 1 µm. Polished samples were etched using Keller’s solution. Unreinforced 6061 Al matrix alloy was also polished in the same way. Microscopic examinations of the composites and matrix alloy were carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

In the present work, 6061 Al alloy MMCs reinforced with varying weight fraction (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 wt%). (Al₂O₃ + Red mud) reinforcement particles have been successfully produced using stir casting. The optimum process parameters were found to be as follows―temperature for mixing 610˚C pouring temperature: 710˚C, stirring speed: 450 rpm, stirring time: 5 min after the completion of particle feeding. Hot extrusion was performed at 540˚C and extrusion ratio 20:1. Optimum process conditions given above and hot extrusion have resulted in uniform distribution of reinforcement in the matrix.

The graphs of theoretical and experimental densities and porosities of the composites according to the weight fractions of red mud and Al₂O₃ particles are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, respectively. Figure 1 shows that the theoretical density values of the composites increase linearly (as expected from the rule of mixtures). Although a linear increase was seen in the experimental densities, the values are lower than that of the theoretical densities. The density measurements showed that the composites contained some porosity, and as shown in Figure 2, the amount of porosity and density in the composites increased with increasing weight fraction of the particles. These results have been observed in previous investigations [1] [18] [19] . During the production process of the MMCs, some porosity is normal, because of the long particle feeding duration and the increase in surface area in contact with air caused by decreasing the particle size [18] [19] .

SEM micrographs of the various wt% of particle-reinforced composites, fabricated under the optimum production conditions, are shown below. The most important factor in the fabrication of MMCs is the uniform dispersion of the reinforcements. As shown in Figure 3. Uniform dispersion of the 2.5% reinforcement particles was achieved in the composites with some agglomerations. Figure 4 and Figure 5 present the SEM micrographs of the 5.0 wt% and 7.5 wt% Al₂O₃ red mud particle-reinforced composites in which the particle clustering and agglomeration are clearly shown. Also, Figure 6 shows the SEM micrograph of the 10 wt% Al₂O₃ red mud particle-reinforced composite which shows a uniform distribution of reinforcement particles.

As a result, SEM observations of the microstructures revealed that the dispersion of the coarser sizes was more uniform while the finer particles led to agglomeration and segregation of the particles, and porosity. The

reason for the particle segregation is proposed as follows: the Al dendrites solidify first during solidification of the composite, and the particles are rejected by the solid-liquid interface, and hence, are segregated to the inter- dendritic region. This event occurred more easily with the finer particles [20] .

Hardness tests were performed on a rock well hardness tester and the results of the tests are shown in Figure 7.

As shown, hardness increases with the amount of reinforcement particles present.

The results of the tensile strength tests are given in Figure 8. Which shows the variation of tensile strength with the weight fraction of reinforcing particles? As shown here, the tensile strength of the MMCs increased with increasing amount of particles like the hardness. Among all of the MMCs, the composites reinforced with 10% Al₂O₃ particles have the maximum hardness and tensile strength. Compared with the 6061 Al matrix alloy, the tensile strength and hardness of the MMCs are greater, and the addition of (red mud + Al₂O₃) particles has increased the tensile strength and hardness of the Al alloy. The increase in filler content contributes to the increase in tensile strength. The reason for the increase in tensile strength in spite of increase in porosity is the thermal mismatch between metal matrix and the reinforcement. This is a major mechanism for increasing the dislocation density of the matrix and therefore increasing the composite strength.