Processing and mechanical characterization of Al2014-B4C aerospace composite

The experimental work was aimed at evaluating the effect of B
₄
C reinforcement on Al-2014 alloy, which effects hardness, tensile strength, and compressive strength, and wear properties this composites. These Aluminum metal matrix composites with individual and multiple reinforcement are finding increased applications in aerospace, automobile, space, underwater and transportation applications. An effort is made to study the properties of aluminum metal matrix by reinforcing Al-2014 matrix with varying proportion of Boron carbide by stir casting method. Aluminum Al-2014 alloy matrix of varying proportions of 90 micron boron carbide particulates were fabricated with the addition of K
₂
TiF
₆
as a wetting agent. The microstructure and strength properties of the fabricated Aluminum metal matrix were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer. The microstructure study revealed the homogeneous dispersion of B
₄
C particles in the matrix. Based on the results obtained from the hardness the metal matrix composites it is observed that, the hardness is increases with increase in the amount of reinforcements. Even though in the case of tensile and compressive strength is increased with increase in B
₄
C reinforcement.