Effect of different reinforcement on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA2024-based metal matrix nanocomposites

Abstract

Abstract In this study, AA2024-B4C and AA2024-SiC nanocomposites were successfully produced by hot pressing and consolidation methods. The effects of different SiC and B4C contents on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the nanocomposites were investigated. The bending and tensile strength of AA2024-2 wt.% B4C nanocomposites reached up to 1286.7 MPa and 392.9 MPa, respectively. The bending strength of 676.7 MPa and tensile strength of 377.7 MPa were obtained for AA2024-2 wt.% SiC nanocomposites. The addition of the reinforcement can increase the bending strength of the nanocomposites even if porosity increases. Comparing the experimental results showed that B4C reinforced nanocomposites exhibited better mechanical properties than those of SiC reinforced nanocomposites. The type of Al2Cu phase plays a major role in the improvement of mechanical properties of the composites.