Effect of nano/micro B4C particles on the mechanical properties of aluminium metal matrix composites fabricated by ultrasonic cavitation assisted solidification process
Abstract Lightweight aluminium metal matrix nanocomposites play a major role in automobile, aerospace and other industries. This work aimed to investigate the effect of the addition of micro and nano boron carbide particles to aluminium on the mechanical properties of the composites. The micro and nanocomposites containing different weight of B 4 C particles were fabricated using stir and ultrasonic cavitation assisted casting processes. The fabricated micro and nano B 4 C particle reinforced composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an X ray diffractometer. Tensile, hardness, impact and wear tests were carried out in order to evaluate the mechanical properties of the micro and nanocomposites. The tensile test results showed that the properties of the samples containing up to 6% nano B 4 C reinforced composites were better than the micro B 4 C reinforced composites. The study also indicated that the ductility and impact energy of the nanocomposites were better than the micro B 4 C particle reinforced composites. The wear resistance of the nanocomposite significantly increased when the B 4 C content was increased up to 8% of addition, and this increase was more pronounced than that resulting from micro B 4 C particle reinforced composites.