Development of boron carbide based aluminium composite with improved tribological property

Abstract

The present material revolution foresees the evolution of metal newlinematrix composites owing to its versatile nature. The prominence of these newlinesophisticated materials arises from the fact that it has considerably less weight newlineby density ratio enabling the replacement of conventional heavy materials that newlinehave posed immense intricacies. Aluminium alloys are the major players in newlinemetal matrix composites due to its flexibility, sustainability and reliability newlinewhile acting as a matrix. It provides a platform to alter its basic properties to newlinesuit diverse engineering applications. In the literature s available, there are newlineseveral reports on reinforcing particulate substances such as titanium boride, newlinesilicon carbide, tungsten carbide alumina, etc., on to the metal matrix. newlineThese inclusions tend to improve the resistance to corrosion, newlinethermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, toughness, stiffness, newlinemalleable/ductile nature, wettability as per the engineering design needs. newlineBesides, there are also reports on reinforcing boron carbide on the metal newlinematrix composite. Nevertheless, the comprehensive conclaves of the newlinemetallurgical integrated mechanical properties have not been dealt in detail. newlineThis prompted the present study undertaken to bridge partially the newlineinformation voids which facilitate industrial sector in adding to more detailed newlineavailable to cater to the product desires. In view of this, aluminium 6061 newlinebased metal matrix composites reinforced with varying percentages of silicon newlinecarbide and boron carbide while maintaining a small percentage of newlinemagnesium constant to enhance the adhesive nature is studied intensively. newlineThe stir casting process was adopted with the process parameters fixed on the newlinebasis of design calculations that accounted for the melting point, specific heat newlineand other thermal properties. newline newline