Strengthening mechanisms in particulate Al/B4C composites produced by repeated roll bonding process

In this study, aluminum metal matrix composites reinforced with 5 and 10 vol.% B4C particulates were fabricated by repeated roll bonding process. The microstructure of the composites, evaluated by optical microscopy, showed the B4C particles are properly distributed in the aluminum matrix. A combined microstructure strengthening analysis suggested by Sekine and Chen was used to predict the yield strength of the Al/B4C composites. In addition, the yield strength of the composites was determined by tensile tests and compared with the calculated yield strength. The results indicated that there is a good agreement between the calculated yield strength and experimental value. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.