Production, Microstructure and Mechanical behavior of AA6351/TiB2 composite synthesized by direct melt reaction method

Abstract

The lineage of applied materials science is always in demand for light weight and highly performing materials. Such materials would find their applications in structural, non-structural, marine, automobile and aerospace industries. In the present investigation, an aluminum alloy AA6351 was reinforced with different percentages (0, 4 and 8 wt%) of TiB2 particles which were effectively fabricated by exothermic reaction of inorganic salts, potassium hexafluoro-titanate and potassium tetrafluoro-borate, with molten aluminium melt to bringout unprecedented properties. Tensile strength, yield strength, compression strength, microhardness and macrohardness of the composite were examined. In situ reaction between the halide salts K2TiF6 and KBF4 and molten aluminum leads to the formation of TiB2 particles. The produced aluminum matrix composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. Scanning electron photomicrographs exhibited a homogeneous dispersal of TiB2 particles in the aluminum matrix. The test results revealed that the Al/8wt% TiB2 MMCs had exhibited higher hardness, tensile, compression strength than the plain matrix alloy.