Assessment of mechanical properties of LM13 aluminum alloy hybrid metal matrix composites

Abstract

Aluminium LM13 alloy based hybrid particulate composites have been processed by adding boron carbide (B _4 C) and titanium diboride (TiB _2 ) particles. The wt% of titanium diboride (TiB _2 ) is varied as 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and a constant 3 wt% of boron carbide is used to prepare the composites. Stir cast route is used to fabricate the composites. The microstructures of castings are examined using computer aided image analyzer. Vicker hardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and energy absorbed by the composites are examined and reported. The results show that uniform dispersion of TiB _2 and B _4 C reinforcement phases in Al LM13 alloy. Micro hardness of composites enhanced upto 36.6% when compared to Al alloy reinforced with 3 wt% of B _4 C particles. Ultimate tensile strength of Al alloy is improved from 151 MPa to 192 MPa by reinforcing 15 wt% of titanium diboride particles. LM13 aluminium alloy hybrid particulate composites offers superior vicker hardness, yield strength, utlimate tensile strength and impact strength over LM13 aluminium alloy based single particle reinforced composites.

Keywords

• Al LM13 alloy
• titanium diboride
• boron carbide
• microstructure
• hardness
• ultimate tensile strength