Role B4C Addition on Microstructure, Mechanical, and Wear Characteristics of Al-20%Mg2Si Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite

Abstract

In the current study, the effect of different B4C additions (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 wt%) on the microstructural, solidification behavior, mechanical, and tribological properties of Al-20%Mg2Si composite were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Vickers hardness, tensile, and dry sliding wear tests. The cooling curve thermal analysis (CCTA) approach was utilized to monitor the influence of B4C particles on the solidification behavior of Al-20%Mg2Si composite. The results revealed that the addition of B4C particles up to 10 wt% reduced the nucleation temperature (TN) and growth temperature (TG) of the primary Mg2Si phase. Moreover, the proper amount of B4C added to Al-20%Mg2Si composite has a significant effect on the microstructural alteration, mechanical, and tribological properties of the composite. The mean size of primary Mg2Si in Al-Mg2Si composite was 47 μm, in which with the addition of 5 wt% B4C, the particle size decreased to 33 μm. The highest UTS (217 MPa) and El% (7%) was achieved in Al-20%Mg2Si-5%B4C hybrid composite. The cast Al-20%Mg2Si composite revealed the brittle mode of fracture with some cleavage characterization, in which with the addition of 5%B4C, the fracture mode altered to a more ductile fracture. The wear results revealed that the Al-20%Mg2Si-5%B4C hybrid composite has the highest wear resistance with the lowest wear rate (0.46 mm3/Km) and friction coefficient (µ = 0.52) under 20 N applied load compared to other fabricated composites with mild abrasion as the governed wear mechanism.

Dry and Lubrication Sliding Wear Characteristics and Wear Mechanism Mapping for In Situ Al–25Mg2Si Composites

“…This phenomenon is consistent with previous research on the wear behavior of composites under sliding conditions, which has shown that wear rates increase with increasing load. [ 31 ]…”

“…This phenomenon is consistent with previous research on the wear behavior of composites under sliding conditions, which has shown that wear rates increase with increasing load. [31] The coefficient of friction between the wear pin and the counter disc as a function of the applied load is shown in Figure 5, and it was found that as the load increased, the coefficient of friction also increased. This is because an increase in the load results in an increase in the surface roughness, fracture, and damage of the pin contact surface, which leads to an increase in the frictional force acting on the pin.…”

“…It is essential to acknowledge that these wear mechanisms have been previously identified and documented by researchers. [31,[33][34][35][36]…”

Influence of boron carbide content on dry sliding wear performances of AZ91D magnesium alloy

“…The improved wear resistance was attributed to B 4 C's self-lubrication feature. 42 In the event of greater speeds, a significant amount of plastic deformation, as well as deeper grooves were observed. 43…”

Role of YSZ Particles on Microstructural, Wear, and Corrosion Behavior of Al-15%Mg2Si Hybrid Composite for Marine Applications

“…Al MMCs are generally produced with pure aluminum or aluminum alloys as their matrix materials. Due to their unique properties, such as a light weight, high specific strength, reasonable wear and corrosion resistance, controlled coefficient of thermal expansion, and high, good elevated-temperature stability, they are widely used in automobile and aerospace industries in the design of parts for advanced applications [11,12]. The density of aluminum alloys is nearly the same as the density of pure aluminum, which is approximately 2698 kg/m 3 .…”