Microstructure and Hardness Characteristics of Al₂O₃-B₄C Particle-Reinforced Cu Matrix Composites

Abstract

Copper is widely used in industrial applications because of its high electrical and thermal conductivity, easiness of processing and good corrosion resistance. However, copper also has some distinct limitations such as low hardness, low tensile yield strength and poor creep resistance. In this report copper matrix was reinforced with ceramics like Al2O3 and B4C particles using powder metallurgy (PM) method and its microstructure was examined with SEM and EDS. The microstructure has revealed an uniform distribution of particles in the matrix and a good interface bonding between B4C particles and the matrix. However the dispersion of Al2O3 particles, of larger sizes, has led to some porosity and inter-particle contacts in the composites. Therefore, hardness of B4C particlereinforced composites is significantly higher than that of Al2O3 particle-reinforced composites.

Evaluation of Mechanical and Wear Properties of Al 5059/B4C/Al2O3 Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

“…The composites made from particulate metal matrix comprise isotropic properties. The mechanical properties of the metal matrix composite depend on some important factors that comprise the size and weight fraction of the particulates and the method of developing the composite [8][9][10][11].…”

Microstructural observation and mechanical properties behavior of Al2O3/Al6061 nanocomposite fabricated by stir casting process

“…The Al 2 O 3 particles were found to be distributed uniformly in the Al6061 matrix. They had high surface energy levels because of their small sizes [37,38]. From combined EDS mapping figure 5(f), it can be seen that aluminum covers almost the entire surface and the surface in combination with oxygen [39].…”

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“…При добавлении наночастиц Al 2 O 3 расслоение между слоями и разрыв волокон были очень похожи на таковые в композите без наночастиц, а при добавлении наночастиц B 4 C площадь расслоения между слоями и разрыв волокон значительно уменьшились. Это можно объяснить тем, что наночастицы B 4 C тверже наночастиц Al 2 O 3 [45]. В результате твердость нанокомпозита с B 4 C больше, а материал с большей твердостью хрупче и легче ломается и повреждается [46].…”