Fabrication and evaluation of mechanical and tribological properties of boron carbide reinforced aluminum matrix nanocomposites

• Published in: Materials and Design Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 3263 - 3271
• Main Authors: Mohammad Sharifi, E., Karimzadeh, F., Enayati, M.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2011
• Subjects: A. Nano materials; Aluminium; Aluminum; Aluminum base alloys; Ball milling; C. Powder metallurgy; Compressive strength; Consolidation; E. Wear; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Optimization; Tribology; Wear resistance; Wear tests; A. Nano materials; C. Powder metallurgy; E. Wear
• ISSN: 0261-3069; 0264-1275
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2011.02.033

► Al–B 4C nanocomposites were fabricated by mechanical alloying and hot pressing. ► Mechanical and triboligical properties of Al–B 4C nanocomposites were investigated. ► Ultimate compressive strength of sample with 15 wt.% B 4C was measured to be 485 MPa. ► Formation of MML increased the wear resistance of Al–B 4C nanocomposites. In this study, fabrication and characterization of bulk Al–B 4C nanocomposites were investigated. B 4C nanoparticles were mixed with pure Al powder by ball milling to produce Al–B 4C powder. Al–B 4C powders containing different amounts of B 4C (5, 10 and 15 wt.%) were subsequently hot pressed to produce bulk nanocomposite samples. Consolidated samples were characterized by hardness, compression and wear tests. Results showed that the sample with 15 wt.% B 4C had the optimum properties. This sample had a value of 164 HV which is significantly higher than 33 HV for pure Al. Also, ultimate compressive strength of the sample was measured to be 485 MPa which is much higher than that for pure Al (130 MPa). The wear resistance of the nanocomposites increased significantly by increasing the B 4C content. Dominant wear mechanisms for Al–B 4C nanocomposites were determined to be formation of mechanical mixed layer on the surface of samples.