Investigation and Optimization of The Effect of Anhydrous Borax Mineral on The Vickers Hardness and Indentation Modulus Values of Iron Material

In this study, 5% and 10% by weight of anhydrous borax (AHB) was added to the iron (Fe) matrix material by powder metallurgy method and the effects of the additive ratio on the Vickers hardness (HV), Brinell hardness (HB) and Indentation modulus (EIT) values of the composites (Fe/AHB) were investigated. In the productions carried out using Taguchi experimental design method, AHB additive ratio, and sintering temperature parameters were selected as control parameters that were thought to affect the physical and/or mechanical properties of the Fe/AHB composite materials. The productions were carried out according to the Taguchi L4 orthogonal array, which was created depending on the control parameters and levels. Vickers hardness and indentation modulus measurements of pure iron and Fe/AHB composite materials were performed in accordance with BS EN ISO 14577-1 standard and Brinell hardness measurement was performed in accordance with TS EN ISO 6506-1 standard. According to the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) analysis performed with the experimental data, it was determined that the 10% AHB additive ratio and 950oC sintering temperature optimized all the investigated properties of the Fe/AHB composite material. It was determined that the values for Vickers hardness, Brinell hardness and indentation modulus increased by 142.03%, 69.32% and 144.11%, respectively, in the levels where the properties of the composite material were optimized compared to pure Fe material. As a result of the qualitative examination of all samples after storage in a comfortable environment without daylight, it was also observed that the anhydrous borax additive delayed the corrosion time of pure iron material.