Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alumina and Titanium Diboride Containing AA2014 Hybrid Composites

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental analysis on microstructure, hardness, density and mechanical properties of aluminum hybrid metal matrix composites manufactured through powder metallurgy. The present article dealt with the composite-I (90 wt % − AA2014 + 5 wt % − Al2O3 + 5 wt% − TiB2), composite-II (85 wt % − AA2014 + 5 wt % − Al2O3 + 10 wt% − TiB2) and composite-III (85 wt % − AA2014 + 10 wt % − Al2O3 + 5 wt % − TiB2) were developed from the elemental powders mixing, die compaction and sintering. Three composites were compacted at a pressure of 350 ± 10 MPa and sintered at 610 ± 10 °C for 2 h in a vacuum hot press under the nitrogen atmosphere. Three composites were measured for microstructural observation, density analysis, porosity, hardness and mechanical properties investigation. In this experimental investigation, particles of alumina and titanium diboride were homogeneously diffused in the aluminum alloy 2014. Composite-I exhibits the 1.4% of average porosity of the composition and 98.5% of it theoretical density. Addition of reinforced particles of 15 wt % in the composites has increased hardness, porosity and reduced the sintered density.