Effect of volume fraction and size of B4C particles on production and microstructure properties of B4C reinforced aluminium alloy composites

A stir casting process was developed to produce aluminium alloy composites containing two different sizes and volume fractions of B4C particles up to 10 vol.-%. Manufacturing of B4C particle reinforced 2024 aluminium alloy composites was modified so as to reduce the processing temperature. In the present study, in order to improve incorporation of the B4C particles by 2024 aluminium alloy melt, a novel pretreatment process before stir casting was attempted, and a significant improvement was gained. This finding showed that the treatment modified the surface condition of boron carbide powders via the removal of oxides. The comparison of added and incorporated particle ratios (the yield rate) indicated that the amount of incorporated particles decreased with increasing volume fraction and decreasing size of particles. Scanning electron microscopic observations of the microstructures revealed that the dispersion of the coarser sizes of particles was more uniform, while finer particles led to agglomeration of the particles and porosity. The results showed that the density of the composites decreased with increasing particle volume fraction and decreasing particle size, whereas the porosity and hardness values increased with increasing particle volume fraction and decreasing particle size.