Effect of Boron Carbide Addition on Wear Resistance of Aluminum Matrix Composites Fabricated by Stir Casting and Hot Rolling Processes

Abstract

In this study, to evaluate the effect of boron carbide (B4C) addition on the wear performance of aluminum (Al), Al6061 and 5, 10, and 20 vol.% B4C/Al6061 composites were manufactured using the stir casting and hot rolling processes. B4C particles were randomly dispersed during the stir casting process; then, B4C particles were arranged in the rolling direction using a hot rolling process to further improve the B4C dispersion and wear resistance of the composites. Furthermore, a continuous interfacial layer between B4C and the Al6061 matrix was generated by diffusion of titanium (Ti) and chromium (Cr) atoms contained in the Al6061 alloy. Wear depth and width of the composites decreased with increasing B4C content. Furthermore, with B4C addition, coefficient of friction (COF) improved as compared with that of Al6061. The results indicate that interface-controlled, well-aligned B4C particles in the friction direction can effectively increase the wear properties of Al alloys and improve their hardness.

Microstructural evaluation and wear behavior of B4C particle reinforced TiO2-SiO2-ZnO compound by hot-pressing method

“…However, it was seen that the wear track and depth of the Ti60Si15Zn20B5 material were less than the Ti60Si20Zn20 material. This observation was in agreement with the results of [45]. The pitted structure and grooves on the worn trajectory were also formed.…”

“…The results showed that the material having the highest hardness value, generally showed the minimum weight loss. Therefore, it can be stated that the hardness results and weight losses of the wear test are inversely related as stated in [45]. Moreover, the fact that the Ti45Si15Zn20B20 material, which had the most crystalline structure according to the XRD results, also had the highest micro-hardness and therefore the lowest weight loss, showing that all analyses in this study were supporting each other.…”

“…In addition, the width of the wear marks and the number of pits formed on the wear surface also differed for those materials. These appearance differences on the surface as a result of wear caused the weight loss data (figure 7, figure 8) to be variable [37,[43][44][45].…”

Microstructure, Tensile and Flexural Strength of Boron Carbide Particles Reinforced Al2030 Alloy Composites

“…Notably many industries are profitable and society is getting benefit from stronger, lighter and cost-effective materials (1,2) . From household appliances to nuclear industry composites are popular, especially in aerospace and military industries where weight is a key factor (3,4) . Composite materials are the field of interest for many scholars all over the world, as they are an essential part of latest trending technology.…”