An investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with B4C particulates manufactured by powder metallurgy method

Currently aluminum metal matrix composites (MMC) with particulate reinforcement and related manufacturing methods are among important research topics because of their low density, high specific stiffness, strength, and wear resistance. B4Cp/Al composites are commonly used materials for fabrication of light-weight functional components. Different percentage amounts of B4Cp (3wt%, 6wt%, and 9wt%) were added to the aluminum matrix and the composite materials were prepared at 823 °K under argon atmosphere. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the formation of the phases such as Al, B4C and AlB2 in B4Cp/Al composites. The density of the composite materials decreased from 2.5773 to 2.5270 g/cm3 with an increase in the amount of B4Cp addition. The optimum properties (hardness and compressive strength) were obtained by reinforcement with smallest B4C particles (size 22 µm). The present work was concentrated on the feasibility of the fabrication of B4Cp particulate reinforced aluminum MMCs by P/M technique.