Aluminium-Titanium Diboride (Al-TiB2) Metal Matrix Composites: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

A review of Al based metal matrix composite reinforced with TiB2 particles developed after 1997 is presented in this paper. This paper presents an overview of Al-TiB2 MMC on aspects relating to the formation of TiB2, development of Al-TiB2, mechanical characteristics, thermodynamic calculation, wear behavior of Al-TiB2, cycle fatigue response of insitu Al based composite, processing, microstructure, properties and application are discussed. Aluminium alloys are widely used for commercial applications in the transportation, construction and similar engineering industries. Nowadays, main focus is given to Aluminium as matrix material because of its unique combination of good corrosion resistance, low electrical resistance and it possesses excellent mechanical properties in addition to good corrosion resistance due to which the alloy finds extensive application in naval vessels manufacturing. Al-TiB2 composite is a metal matrix composite (MMC) that can be manufactured using the in-situ salt-metal reaction. With TiB2 as the particulate addition the properties of Al 6061 alloy can be greatly improved. The addition of TiB2 to aluminium increases the strength of the aluminium. The wear resistance of this material is due to the lack of pull out of this material from the aluminium matix. Also, such material when machine with non–conventional methods like EDM will show better machinability due to its high conductivity. In the last few years, Al-TiB2 have been utilized in high-tech structural and functional applications including aerospace, defense, automotive, and thermal management areas, as well as in sports and recreation. The future research is summarized finally.