Mechanical and corrosion properties of AlCu matrix hybrid composite materials

Serkan Islak

doi:10.2298/sos1901081i

Abstract

In this study, AlCu matrix hybride composites with various ratios of boron carbide (B4C), hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), and graphite (Gr) were produced by using hot-pressing method. The microstructure, density, mechanical and corrosion properties of these composites were investigated. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the microstructures, and the experimental densities of the composites were measured using a helium pycnometer. The mechanical properties including the hardness and transverse rupture strength were investigated using hardness and three-point bending tests, respectively. In addition, the hybrid composites were immersed in an aqueous solution of 3.5 wt.-percent NaCl at pH 3 for potentiodynamic and corrosion rate measurements. These tests revealed that a microstructure in which reinforcing particles are almost homogeneously dispersed in the matrix was obtained. Density measurements have shown that very dense and compact hybrid AMCs are produced. The hardness and transverse rupture strength of the composites were significantly increased by particulate addition to the matrix. Depending on the type and amount of reinforcement material, differences in the corrosion resistance of the hybrid composites have been determined. The results show that AlCu-8B4C-2Gr hybrid composite material has the highest corrosion resistance among the composite materials.

Highlights

It is known that the specific strength of materials is an important factor in the aviation and automotive industries [1, 2]
Several hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)–B4C–Gr-reinforced AlCu matrix hybrid composites were prepared by a hot-pressing method, and the microstructure, hardness, density, corrosion and transverse rupture strength of these composites were experimentally investigated in detail
The conclusions drawn from this study are given below: 1. Microscopic studies showed that the reinforcing particles in the AlCu matrix were almost homogeneously distributed

Summary

Introduction

It is known that the specific strength of materials is an important factor in the aviation and automotive industries [1, 2]. Alanemi et al [17] investigated the production process and mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Si alloy matrix composites reinforced by alumina (Al2O3) and rice husk ash (RHA), with the aim of evaluating the feasibility of developing low-cost, high-performance hybrid AMCs. The specific strength, elongation, and fracture toughness of a hybrid composite containing 2 wt.% RHA were higher than those of one reinforced by Al2O3 alone. The specific strength, elongation, and fracture toughness of a hybrid composite containing 2 wt.% RHA were higher than those of one reinforced by Al2O3 alone For this reason, RHA has been reported to serve as a complementary supplement for the development of low-cost, high-performance hybrid AMCs. In this study, AlCu matrix hybrid composites were prepared by adding B4C, Gr, and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) into a AlCu matrix in different ratios using a hot-pressing method. The microstructure, corrosion and mechanical properties of these composites were investigated

Materials and Experimental Procedures

Results and Discussion

Conclusion