Development properties of aluminum matrix composites reinforced by particles of boron carbide

Abstract

Composite materials are an important class of economical structural materials with unique properties that expand the scope of mechanical engineering in various industries. One of the most interesting metal composite materials is metal structures with low cost of reinforcement and availability for mass production. Due to the development of the structural requirements of some aircraft components, the development of the accelerated aging process becomes necessary to observe and understand the aging of aluminum alloys and predict the effect of this process on the mechanical behaviors of these alloys under temperature. In this research boron carbide (B4C) is reinforced in the aluminum matrix composites to increase the more conductivity and characterized for their mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength. Al-5%Cu aluminum alloy metal matrix composites will be reinforced with Boron Carbide (B4C) particles up to 2, 5 and 7 % was produced by stir casting. Particulates may subsequently add using the squeeze casting process. The squeeze casting technique decreased the porosity of the final composites. The modes of aging of MMC reinforced with B4C particles are determined. It is shown that when aging at 225 °C with an increase in the content of B4C particles to 7%, the maximum hardness is reached after 7 hours, while in the matrix alloy after 9 hours. Aging at 250 °C reduces the time to reach maximum hardness by 1 hour.