Comparison of microstructural and mechanical properties of Al-TiC, Al-B4C and Al-TiC-B4C composites prepared by casting techniques

In the present work, production of Al-10%TiC, Al-10% B4C, Al-5%TiC-5%B4C (volume fraction) composites by casting techniques were studied. However, casting techniques suffers from poor incorporation and distribution of the reinforcement particles in the matrix. These problems become especially significant as the reinforcement size decreases due to greater agglomeration tendency and reduced wettability of the particles with the melt. Microstructure characterization of the composite samples was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD).The results showed heat treatment of B4C particles and addition of TiC particles with the flux improved the wettability and incorporation of reinforcement particles into melt. Mechanical characterization of samples showed that maximum hardness had belonged to Al-5%TiC-5%B4C composite, maximum yield and tensile strength had belonged to Al-10%B4C composite and maximum elongation had belonged to Al-10%TiC composite. Furthermore, wear properties of composites revealed the better behavior for Al-B4C composite. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.