Processing and mechanical properties of B4C reinforced Al matrix composites

Abstract Aluminum matrix composites are emerging as advance engineering materials due to its high specific strength and stiffness, good wear resistance and high temperature properties. Properties of Al reinforced with Al 2 O 3 and SiC are widely investigated. In the present study, mechanical properties of B 4 C reinforced Al matrix is investigated due to higher hardness and lower density properties than SiC and Al 2 O 3 . The high temperature deformation behavior of 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% B 4 C powder having an average particle diameter of about 10 μm aluminum matrix composite sintered at 650 °C was investigated by creep tests at temperatures ranging from 400 to 450 °C and creep resistance of Al alloy is enhanced by the presence of B 4 C particles. Measurement of impact and hardness properties of composites showed that impact values decrease and hardness values increased with increase in weight fraction of reinforcement.