Microstructural Characterization, Mechanical And Wear Behaviour Of Al2024-B4C Composites For Aerospace Applications

Abstract

<p>Metal matrix composite plays an important role in automobile and aerospace applications. Among all the metals, aluminium is considered as the lighter metal. In present investigation aluminium-2024 is considered as the base alloy and reinforced with boron carbide to increase its hardness. Aluminium metal matrix composite is obtained by combining different percentage of boron carbide particulates in the volume fraction 2.5 wt.% and 5 wt.%. Synthesis is done by stir casting technique and the characterization is carried out using scanning electron microscope. The properties of Al2024 reinforced with boron carbide is evaluated by using tensometer, pin on disc wear testing machine and vickers hardness tester. With the increase in the reinforcement high hardness, tensile strength and higher wear resistance is achieved. These types of MMCs are widely used in automobile and aerospace applications due to their great mechanical behaviours, low density, low factor of thermal expansion; corrosion resistance is better and increased wear resistance as compared to conventional metals and alloys. Improved mechanical property of these composites makes them very useful for various applications in many areas from technological point of view.</p>