Influence of boron carbide reinforcement on mechanical properties of aluminum base composite prepared by stir and squeeze casting

Abstract EN

Aluminum metal matrix composites reinforced by ceramic particles have a wide acceptance in engineering applications due to their mechanical and physical properties.

The present work aims at investigating the effect of B4C particles ons ome mechanical and physical properties of Al –base matrix.

All samples were prepared by two-step stir casting method with squeezing the melt during its solidification.

Aluminum metal matrix samples of 2wt%Mg with (0,2,4,and 6wt%) ofB4C particles were prepared.

The effect of such additions of these particles on hardness, tensile properties were investigated, also the microstructures were analyzed using optical microscopic and (SEM-EDS) analysis.

The results showed a maximum increase of (53%) in Brinel's hardness by adding 6% of boron carbide, while the yield stress, tensile strength and the modulus of elasticity were increased by 11%, 51% , and 51% respectively due to add 4% of boron carbide.

The SEM-EDS analyses confirm the presence of B4C particles within the Al-base matrix.

The microscopic tests indicated the homogenous dispersion of the addition of 4wt% B4C.