Synthesis and Characterization of In-Situ AA8011-TiB2 Composites Produced by Flux Assisted Synthesis

Abstract

In-situ aluminium alloy 8011 matrix composites containing different weight percentages of titanium diboride were synthesized by flux assisted synthesis using stir casting technique. The metallurgy of the in-situ AA8011-TiB2 composites was analyzed using X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscope to disseminate the formation and distribution of reinforcements. Density, microhardness and tensile strength of cast AA8011 and in-situ AA8011-TiB2 composites were measured and analyzed. The in-situ formed TiB2 reinforcements showed the maximum hardness of 55.03 Hv and the maximum tensile strength of 158.2 MPa for 8 wt. % of TiB2 whereas the percentage elongation of 7.2% is observed at 4 wt. % of TiB2. Further, the fractography analysis performed on the fractured tensile samples and the mechanism of failures were identified and reported.