Microstructure and mechanical behavior of AA6082-T6/SiC/B4C-based aluminum hybrid composites

• Published in: Particulate science and technology Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 154 - 161
• Main Authors: Singh, Gurpreet, Goyal, Sanjeev
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 17.02.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aluminum; Aluminum base alloys; Boron carbide; Density; Electron microscopy; Elongation; Hardness; Hybrid composites; Impact strength; Mechanical properties; micro-hardness; Microhardness; Microstructure; percentage elongation; Porosity; Silicon base alloys; Silicon carbide; Tensile strength; Ultimate tensile strength
• ISSN: 0272-6351; 1548-0046
• DOI: 10.1080/02726351.2016.1227410

The microstructural and mechanical behavior of hybrid metal matrix composite based on aluminum alloy 6082-T6 reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) and boron carbide (B 4 C) particles was investigated. For this purpose, the hybrid composites were fabricated using conventional stir casting process by varying weight percentages of 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt% of (SiC + B 4 C) mixture. Dispersion of the reinforced particles was studied with x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses. Mechanical properties such as micro-hardness, impact strength, ultimate tensile strength, percentage elongation, density, and porosity were investigated on hybrid composites at room temperature. The results revealed that the increase in weight percentage of (SiC + B 4 C) mixture gives superior hardness and tensile strength with slight decrease in percentage elongation. However, some reduction in both hardness and tensile strength was observed in hybrid composites with 20 wt% of (SiC + B 4 C) mixture. As compared to the un-reinforced alloy, the improvement in hardness and tensile strength for hybrid composites was found to be 10% and 21%, respectively. Reduction in impact strength and density with increase in porosity was also reported with the addition of reinforcement.