Stir‐cast Al2024‐based composite reinforced with boron carbide and graphene particles: Mechanical and dry sliding wear characteristics

Abstract

Because of its improved formability, lower production costs, and mechanical properties, aluminum metal matrix composite is the highly intriguing engineering material. It can meet the needs of modern engineering applications used in the automotive, military, aerospace, and marine industries. Hybridization of reinforcement is adopted to develop tailor‐made properties of composites for specific application. In this study, Al‐B4C‐Gr hybrid composites were produced with varying graphene content (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1 wt.%) and keeping boron carbide (10 wt.%) as constant, the effect of graphene proportion on the mechanical properties of produced composites was evaluated. It has been observed that increasing the Gr reinforcement particles in the synthesized composites improves the mechanical characteristics of the composites, such as raising the tensile strength to 215 Mpa and the hardness to 110 HV due to the presence and proper distribution of reinforcement in the matrix. When compared to the base alloy, the tensile strength and hardness of Al10B4C0.75Gr composites rose by 27.174% and 67.290%, respectively. The dry sliding wear behavior of Al‐10 wt.% B4C‐wt.%Gr hybrid composites confirms that graphene and B4C particles in the matrix increase the wear resistance of the produced MMCs. The each parameter such as sliding distance, sliding velocity and load has its influence toward the better wear resistance of the developed composites and were discussed.