Investigation on microstructural and mechanical properties of B4C–aluminum matrix composites prepared by microwave sintering

• Main Authors: Ehsan Ghasali, Masoud Alizadeh, Touradj Ebadzadeh, Amir hossein Pakseresht, Ali Rahbari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2015-10-01
• Series: Journal of Materials Research and Technology
• Subjects: Aluminum; Boron carbide; Microwave sintering; Metal matrix composite
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785415000307
• ISSN: 2238-7854

B4C reinforced aluminum composites were fabricated by microwave heating of the mixture of B4C (10, 15 and 20 wt%) and aluminum powders at 650, 750, 850 and 950 °C. The effect of different amounts of B4C on the microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum matrix was examined. The maximum bending (238 ± 10 MPa) and compressive strength (330 ± 10 MPa) values were measured for composites sintered at 950 and 750 °C, respectively. The maximum hardness (112 Vickers) was measured for Al–20 wt% B4C composite sintered at 850 °C. XRD investigations showed the decomposition of boron carbide and also the formation of Al3BC by heating the composites at 850 °C. SEM micrographs showed uniform distribution of reinforcement particles in Al matrix.