Fabrication and Characterization of Aluminum (6061)-Boron-Carbide Functionally Gradient Material

This article presents an economical and attractive fabrication technique to produce aluminum (6061) boron carbide functionally gradient material (FGM). Aluminum (6061) boron carbide FGM was produced by flux assisted reaction synthesis followed by centrifugal casting. Optical and analytical microscopy examination of FGM reveals the gradient of boron carbide particulate in aluminum matrix. As the density difference of boron carbide and molten aluminum are very close, the effect of centrifugal force 'G' during centrifugal casting on boron carbide distribution and hardness was also studied. The microstructure of material so produced exhibits a gradual change of hardness from 55Hv in aluminum to 150Hv in boron carbide region.