Production characterization and friction stir welding of aluminum 6061 matrix composite reinforced with boron carbide

Abstract

In recent trends, metal matrix composites (MMC) have attracted the newlinepotential interest in engineering materials due to their superior mechanical newlineproperties than the conventional materials. The way of selecting the particular newlineproperties of the constituent materials to meet the specific demand is the most newlineimportant motivation for the development of composites. In general, MMCs possess newlineincreased strength, higher service temperature, decreased part weight, and improved newlinewear resistance compared to monolithic materials. newlineAluminum and its alloys are the most popular matrix for metal matrix newlinecomposites. Aluminum matrix reinforced with ceramic particles such as oxides, newlinecarbides, nitrides offer a large variety of mechanical properties depending on the newlinechemical composition of the Al matrix. Hence, they have been widely used for high newlineperformance structural application in automotive, aerospace and defence industries. newlineAmong the various ceramics, Boron carbide (B4C) possesses excellent physical and newlinemechanical properties like high melting point and hardness, good impact and wear newlineresistance, excellent resistance to chemical agents as well as high capability for newlineneutron absorption. Because of its specific features, it has potential applications in newlinepower plants and nuclear industries. The fabrication of durable and usable aluminum based MMC is newlinechallenging in several aspects. The joining of MMCs using conventional welding newlinetechniques has certain limitations on mechanical properties of composites due to deleterious reaction between the reinforcing material and liquid state matrix. Hence, newlinethe solid state welding process is needed for joining of MMCs. newline