Research on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of B4C/Al Composites by Liquid Mental Mixing

Abstract

B4C/Al composites of different boron carbide contenting were prepared by the liquid mixing method and hot-rolled to 3mm. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the rolled composite were analyzed after the stress relieving heat treatment. Results showed that: the distribution of boron carbide particles was uniform, and only a few particles appeared fractured. With Ti addition, a reaction product layer was fabricated surrounding B4C particles, which acted as a diffusion barrier to separate B4C particles from liquid aluminum to protect them. With the mass fraction of the B4C particles increasing, it can improve the tensile strength but degrade the plasticity of the composites. The fracture surface of composites showed both ductile and brittle fracture characteristics and when the mass fraction of the B4C particles increased the ductile fracture feature decreased.