Assessment of Mechanical Behaviour and Microstructure of Micro Boron Carbide Particles Reinforced Al2011 Alloy Metal Matrix Composite for Aerospace Applications

Abstract

Due to the superior qualities nowadays, composite materials are already replacing conventional materials as constituents. The incorporation of micro particles brings about an innovation in the material world. Micro particles also affect manufacturing and mechanical characteristics. In the current study, three different types of samples are fabricated by stir casting method by reinforcing the 0% wt., 2.5% wt. and 5% wt. of boron carbide (B4C) micro particles in aluminium alloy (Al2011) matrix. Finally, mechanical and microstructural properties are evaluated by conducting tensile, compression and hardness tests on fabricated samples. The study revealed that by the addition of 2.5% wt. and 5% wt. of B4C micro particles to Al2011 alloy then on comparing to the pure Al2011 alloy, the mechanical properties of the matrix with the Al2011 particles are improved. Additionally, the findings of the experiments demonstrate that the addition of B4C micro particles reduces the ductility of the composites. Furthermore, micrography analysis by SEM and FEA analysis has been carried out on the developed composites, SEM analysis shows that uniform a distribution of B4C particles in the Al2011 matrix. Also, FEA analysis revealed that there is closeness amongst FEA results and analytical results.