Fly ash particle reinforced aluminum matrix composite (AMCs) has been fabricated using a stir casting furnace by employing compocasting technique. The presence of fly ash particles in the compocast fabricated AMCs has been tested by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The wear behaviour of compocast fabricated AMCs and matrix alloy AA6061were tested using Pin-On-Disc apparatus. The effect of fly ash particulate content (0, 4, 8 and 12 wt.%) and temperature (40, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 °C) on wear rate and worn surface of the AMCs were studied. The reinforcement of hard fly ash particles is successful to improve the wear resistance of the compocast AMCs at all temperatures studied in this work. SEM micrograph of worm surface indicated that at elevated temperature the prime wear process for the AA6061 alloys were adhesion and metal flow, whereas for AA6061/Fly ash compocast composite adhesion, metal flow and oxidation are the most influencing wear process.

Emission and weight reduction have been identified over the years by the automobile industries as the most efficient ways to maintain fuel economy and to meet the demand of the government agencies on global warming. These challenges of reducing emission and weight are even being compounded with consumers taste for luxury features which adds to the weight of the traditional vehicle designs. To meet these demands, alloys such are Aluminium Alloys, Magnesium Alloys and Titanium Alloys have been identified as the suitable materials to replace conventional steel structures due to their superior properties such as high strength-to-weight ratio, high tensile strength and high-temperature performance. With the identification of suitable materials to replace the traditional materials, the welding of alloy materials remains a challenge faced by vehicle manufacturers. Although electron beam welding, ultrasonic welding and friction stir welding have proven to give quality weld joints of alloys used in automobile fabrication, their application is limited by the high cost of equipment, need for vacuum environment in electron beam welding, size and shape of base metals. Laser welding with its reduced heat affected zone (HAZ), good seam appearance and deep penetration has widely been applied in an automobile. However, it is not with its own shortcomings such as poor gap bridging capability, difficulty in welding reflective materials and high cost. Arc welding with its low cost compared to other welding techniques and high energy efficiency, therefore, remains a useful welding process in an automobile. In this paper, a review of the various investigations by researchers on MIG and TIG welding of alloys used in the automobile have been documented.