Synthesis and characterization of uncoated and nickel coated b4c particulate reinforced al 4 point 5 percent cu alloy composites

Abstract

Composite materials are termed as material systems that are combination of two newlineor more micro constituents insoluble in each other and differing in form and or material newlinecomposition. Composites are usually prepared by adding dissimilar materials together to newlinework as a single mechanical unit. These materials possess a hard phase in soft matrix and newlinevice-versa. A soft phase embedded in hard matrix increases the shock resistance of the newlinematerials. Composites present a combination of properties and have diverse applications newlinein the field of automobiles, aerospace and marine industries. newlineAmong composite materials, Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are used to meet newlinedemands of lighter materials especially suited for applications requiring high strength to newlineweight ratio with high specific strength, dimensional stability, structural rigidity, and newlinestiffness for different applications like automotive, space, aircraft, defense, and in other newlineengineering sectors. In the present work the mechanical properties like ultimate tensile newlinestrength, yield strength and hardness for uncoated and nickel coated composites are newlineinvetigated. newlineLiquid metallurgy technique is a simple and economic method to fabricate newlinealuminum metal matrix composite material. Uncoated and nickel B4C Particles are newlinereinforced at a temperature of 300C. The mixer is then added into the vertex of molten newlinemelt Al4.5%Cu alloy in two step addition methods to improve the dispersion of particles newlinein the matrix and wettability of the particles. The micro structural observation has been newlinestudied using both Optical microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy to know the newlinedistribution of reinforced B4C particulates in the base Al4.5%Cu alloy. Ultimate tensile newlinestrength, yield strength and hardness are determined by using universal testing machine. newlineThe results are tabulated and analysis was carried out. It was found that ultimate tensile newlinestrength, yield strength and density of composites increased and percentage of elongation newlinedecreased with increased weight percentage of B4C particulates. newline