See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/283736844

Evaluation of mechanical properties of boron carbide and titanium dioxide

reinforced with aluminium alloy metal matrix composites

Article in International Journal of Applied Engineering Research · January 2015

CITATIONS READS

8 2,116

3 authors, including:

Stalin Balasubramaniam S. Arivukkarasan

Anna University, Regional Campus Madurai SACS MAVMM Engineering College
199 PUBLICATIONS 2,995 CITATIONS 16 PUBLICATIONS 131 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Stalin Balasubramaniam on 03 August 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.55 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Boron Carbide and

Titanium Dioxide Reinforced with Aluminium Alloy Metal Matrix
Composites
¹ B.Stalin*, ² S.Arivukkarasan and 3 C.Selva Ganesan

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University, Regional Office, Madurai-625007, India
2 Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SACS MAVMM Engineering College, Madurai-625005, India
3 PG Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University, Regional Office, Madurai-625007, India

Abstract Tham et al [5] investigated the influence of the processing

This paper deals with the fabrication and mechanical parameters on the near-net shape synthesis of Al–SiC
investigation of Aluminium alloy (AA) LM 6, B4C (boron particulate reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) by the
carbide) and TiO2 metal matrix composites. Aluminium is the disintegrated melt deposition (DMD) technique.
matrix metal having properties like light weight, high strength Abouelmagd [6] investigated hot compression and wear
and ease of machinability. Boron carbide which has excellent resistance as well as hardness of powder metallurgy (P/M)
hardness and fracture toughness is added as reinforcements Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs). Generally, both
with TiO2. Here, the fabrication is done by stir casting which hardness and compressive strength were enhanced by the
involves mixing the required quantities of additives into addition of Al2O3 and Al4C3 and their magnitudes continued to
stirred molten Aluminium. Aluminium alloy (AA) LM 6 was improve up to deformation temperature of 150◦C. The ductile–
reinforced with 5 wt.% of boron carbide (B4C), 3 wt.% of brittle transition phenomenon was obtained at an addition of
TiO2 and 3 wt.% of boron carbide (B 4C), 5 wt.% of TiO2 Al4C3. Also, the addition of 4% Al4C3 improved the wear
through liquid casting technique. After solidification, the resistance of composites, while its existence decreased the
samples are prepared and tested to find the various mechanical braking percent. Davidson et al [7] studied the low-cost
properties like tensile, flexural, impact and hardness. And the production and performance of 6061-Aluminium alloy
test reports were compared with the al LM 6 mechanical matrices reinforced with coated and non-coated particulate
properties. The internal structure of the composite is observed silicon carbide. The effect of coating the particles with copper
using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It was used for has proved beneficial to interfacial bonding and resulted in
the characterization of composites. larger failure strains. There was confirmation of the
importance of particle size on mechanical properties. Vijaya
Keywords: Aluminium alloy LM6, Boron carbide, TiO2, Stir Ramnath et al [8] fabricated and investigation mechanical
casting, Mechanical properties, SEM. properties of Aluminium alloy, alumina (Al2O3) and boron
carbide metal matrix composites. Aluminium is the matrix
1. Introduction metal having properties like light weight, high strength and
Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) in the series of Metal ease of machinability. Baradeswaran et al [9] characterized the
Matrix Composite (MMC) keeps the key factor to replace Al/B4C/graphite through liquid casting technique. The wear
conventional materials for wide range of experiment was carried out by using a pin-on-disc apparatus.
Structural/Mechanical applications such as those in the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using MINITAB 14
automobile, aeronautical/aerospace, defense and sports software was used to analyse the wear rate of hybrid
industries because of their superior properties. The excellent composites and Aluminium alloys. Rajkumar et al [10] deals
mechanical properties and the comparatively low cost make with the comparison studies on mechanical properties for
them as a best option large variety of applications. Stir casting cleaner energy like microwave heat treatment and
is a liquid fabrication techniques which is currently apply for conventional heat treatment of Al/B4C composite. They
various reinforcement and it is used to manufacture the MMC analyzed the machinability characteristics of microwave heat
materials especially Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) in treated and non-heat treated composites were evaluated using
the recent years [1, 2]. Hamouda et al [3] developed a flow a lathe tool dynamometer. Kalaiselvan et al [11] Developing
stress model based on plasticity theory for two different types the welding procedures to join aluminum matrix composites
of Aluminium metal matrix composite materials subjected to (AMCs) holds the key to replace conventional aluminum
high strain rate. Hamouda et al [4] experimented the A1/Cu alloys in many applications. They used AA6061/B4C AMC
and AI/Li metal matrix composite (MMC) were subjected to which is produced using stir casting route. Plates of 6 mm
dynamic compression at room temperature using an thickness were prepared from the castings and successfully
experimental drop hammer. butt joined using friction stir welding (FSW). The weld zone
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 9865264158. showed fine grains and homogeneous distribution of B 4C
E-mail address: stalin1312@gmail.com.
particles. A joint efficiency of 93.4% was realized under the

3988
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.55 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm
experimental conditions. The notable point is FSW reduced titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical
the ductility of the composite. Thangarasu et al [12] formula TiO2. When used as a pigment, it is called titanium
synthesized mechanical and the sliding wear behaviour white, Pigment White 6, or CI 77891.
AA6082/TiC AMCs in order to analyze the effect of TiC
particles. A single pass Friction stir process (FSP) was carried 2.1.3. Boron Carbide
out to produce the composite. The microstructure of the Boron carbide is one of the most promising ceramic materials
AA6082/TiC AMCs was studied using optical and scanning due to its attractive properties, including high strength, low
electron microscopy. Vogt et al [13] analyzed the addition of density, extremely high hardness, good chemical stability and
ceramic particulate reinforcement via cryomilling can neutron absorption capability. Boron carbide has stability to
significantly increase the physical and mechanical properties ionizing radiation. It has toughness similar to diamond. It is
of Al alloys. So boron carbide (B4C) was cryomilled with difficult to sinter to high relative densities without the use of
Al 5083 to form a nano-grained metal matrix powder. This sintering aids. It has good nuclear properties.
powder was blended with unmilled Al 5083 to increase
ductility and was then consolidated into plates by three Table 1: Properties of Material Used
methods: (1) hot isostatic pressing (HIP) followed by high
strain rate forging (HSRF), (2) HIP followed by two-step Coefficient of
Tensile Modulus of
Density thermal
quasi-isostatic forging (QIF), and (3) three-step QIF. Material strength
(g/cm3) expansion
elasticity
Rıdvan Ünal et al, [14] presented the mean grain size of (MPa)
(10ˉ⁶/°C)
(GPa)
ceramic–metal composites, made from B4C/Al/Ni powders, Aluminium
has been determined with ultrasonic velocity technique by alloy LM 6 160-190 2.65 2 71
grade
using a 2 MHz transducer. Mohammad et al, [15] fabricated TiO2 333.3 3.97-4.05 8.4 230
and investigated the bulk Al–B4C nanocomposites. The B4C 261 2.3–2.55 5 362
hardness, compression and wear test results showed that the
sample with 15 wt.% B4C had the optimum properties. The 2.2. Fabrication Procedure
wear resistance of the nanocomposites increased significantly The stir casting process is widely used for production of
by increasing the B4C content. O˜noroa et al, [16] studied the MMC. The various advantages of stir casting are simplicity,
mechanical properties of particulate-reinforced metal-matrix flexibility, applicability to large quantity, near net shaping,
composites based on Aluminium alloys (6061 and 7015) at lower cost of processing and easier control of matrix structure.
high temperatures. Boron carbide particles were used as In this work, stir-casting method is used for preparing
reinforcement. All composites were produced by hot Aluminium matrix composite. This whirlpool technique
extrusion. The tensile properties and fracture analysis of these provides high strength and homogeneous set of Aluminium
materials were investigated at room temperature and at high composite materials. Stir casting is a primary process of
temperature to determine their ultimate strength and strain to composite production in which continuous stirring of molten
failure. base metal is done followed by introduction of reinforcements.
The resulting mixture is poured into the die and allowed to
2. Experimental details solidify. In stir-casting, the particles often tend to form
agglomerates, which can be only dissolved by vigorous
2.1. Materials stirring at high temperature.
In this work for preparing metal–matrix composite,
Aluminium alloy (LM 6) is used as base material; TiO2 and 3. Experimentation
boron carbide in powder form are used as the reinforcements. The experimental arrangement consists of the main furnace
Boron carbide and TiO2 having mesh size respectively and components along with three mild steel stirrer blades. The
200,220. Aluminium alloy ingots are required for the first process in the experiment is preheating. Here, the empty
preparation. Aluminium alloy ingot is cut into small pieces, so crucible and the reinforcement powders, namely boron carbide
that it can be easily placed in crucible for melting. and titanium dioxide powders are heated separately to a
temperature close to that of the main process temperature. The
2.1.1. Aluminium Alloy (LM 6) melting of the Aluminium alloy (90%) ingot is carried out in
The tensile strength of Aluminium alloy (LM 6) and hardness the crucible inside the furnace. Initially, the ingot was
decrease fairly regularly with increasing temperature and preheated for 3 – 4 hr at 550°C. At the same time boron
become relatively poor at temperatures of the order of 250°C. carbide and titanium dioxide powders are also preheated to
The heat treated alloy has fairly good machining properties. 400°C in the respective containers. Then, the crucible with
They are of high resistance to corrosive attack by sea water Aluminium alloy is heated to 800°C while the preheated
and marine atmospheres. powders are mechanically mixed with each other below their
melting points.
2.1.2. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) This metal–matrix is then kept into the furnace at the same
Titanium dioxide is a chemical compound of titanium and temperature. The furnace completely melts the pieces of
oxygen. Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium oxide or Aluminium alloy and the powders of titanium and boron

3989
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.55 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm
carbide. The stirring mechanism is lowered into the crucible 5.1. Tensile Test
inside the furnace and set at the required depth. The vigorous The tensile test is done using universal testing machine and
automatic stirring of the material takes place for 10 min with the specimens are cut as per the ASTM: B-557M standard.
550 rpm of stirring rate, thereby uniformly dispersing the The results obtained are furnished in Table 2.
additive powders in the Aluminium alloy matrix. The
temperature rate of the furnace should be controlled at Table 2: Tensile Properties of Composites
830 ± 10°C in final mixing process. The degasser removes all Break Maximum Tensile
the trapped gases from the mixture in the crucible and ensures Elongation
Sample Composition load displacement strength
(%)
that the temperature of the mixture in the crucible does not get (kN) (mm) (MPa)
transferred easily to the atmosphere. This experiment is Aluminium
1 9.31 2 172.53 8
alloy
repeatedly done by varying the compositions of the composite Aluminium
powder. For each composition, a total of 1.5 kg (1500 g) alloy—92%,
material mix is used for preparing the samples. Apart from the 2
Titanium
10.23 1.5 148.48 6
above compositions, the aluminum alloy [LM 6] alone is dioxide—3%
,Boron
melted and solidified in dies. carbide—5%
In this paper, sample 1 contains Aluminium alloy only, Aluminium
sample 2 contains Aluminium alloy—92%, Titanium dioxide alloy—92% ,
—3% and boron carbide—5% and sample 3 contains 3
Titanium
11.26 0.9 157.1 3.6
Aluminium alloy—92%, Titanium dioxide —5% and boron dioxide —
5% , Boron
carbide—3%. carbide—3%

4. Testing 5.1.1. Comparison of Tensile Properties for different

The following tests are conducted on the Aluminium matrix Composites
composites to evaluate their mechanical properties. From table 2 the sample 3 has greater break load and lower
percentage elongation than sample 2 whereas sample 2 has
4.1. Tensile Test greater displacement than sample 1. Since sample 1 contains
The ability of a material to withstand a static load can be Aluminium alloy only the tensile strength of that sample is
determined by testing the material in tension or compression. higher than other two samples.
Mechanical testing plays an important role in evaluating the
fundamental properties of engineering materials as well as in 5.2. Flexural Test
developing new composite materials. In this work the tensile The flexural test is done using three point flexural testing
test is carried out using a universal testing machine. The machine and the specimen was cut using ASTM: A-370
specimen is prepared as per ASTM: B-557M standards. standard. Tested flexural properties are furnished in Table 3.

4.2. Flexural Test Table 3: Flexural Properties of Composites

The use of flexural test is to determine the flexural property of
Flexural
composite. This test measures the behaviour of materials Sample Composition of Composite Specimen break load
subjected to simple bending loads. The specimen is prepared (KN)
as per ASTM: A-370 standard. Sample 1
Aluminium alloy 7.1

4.3. Impact Test Sample2 Aluminium alloy—92%, Titanium

6.56
Impact testing involves the sudden and dynamic application of dioxide —3%,Boron carbide—5%
the load on the composite specimen. This test measures the Sample3 Aluminium alloy—92%, Titanium
5.75
amount of energy absorbed by the specimen for the rupture in dioxide —5%, Boron carbide—3%
joules. Charpy impact test is carried out in this work. The
specimen is prepared as per IS 1500 standard. 5.2.1. Comparison of Flexural Properties for different
Composites
4.4. Hardness Test Fig. 1 shows the values of break load for three samples. From
The hardness test measures the resistance of a solid to Fig. 1 it shows that sample 1 has the highest break load and
permanent shape change when a force is applied. Brinell maximum deflection. Sample 2 has a higher break load than
hardness test is carried out in this work to find out the sample 3.
deformation of the composite under constant compressive
load.

5. Results and Discussion

The tested results of the each sample are discussed.

3990
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.55 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm

Fig. 1: Break Load (Flexural Test) Fig. 3: Comparison of Hardness values

5.3. Impact Test Table 5: Hardness Values of Composites [in BHN]

The impact test is performed by preparing the specimens as
per standard IS 1500. Composition Hardness in HBW(10/500kgf)
of Average
Sample Trail 1 Trail 2 Trail 3
Composite hardness
Specimen (BHN) (BHN) (BHN)
(BHN)
Sample
Aluminium
1 55.5 56.7 56.9 56.4
alloy
Aluminium
alloy—
Sample
92%,Titanium
2 60.9 61.3 62.3 61.5
dioxide —3%,
Boron
carbide—5%
Aluminium
alloy—92%,
Sample
Titanium
3 61.3 61.7 62.5 61.8
dioxide —5% ,
Fig. 2: Energy Absorbed (Impact Test) Boron
carbide—3%
From Table 4 and Fig. 2, it is clear that sample 3 absorbs more
energy followed by samples 1 and 2. 6. Morphological Analysis using Scanning Electron
Microscope (SEM)
The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) uses electrons
Table 4: Impact Properties of Composites instead of light to form an image. The main principle of SEM
is the bombarding of electrons and the secondary electrons
Composition of Composite Energy absorbed
Sample
Specimen (Joule)
which are reflected are formed as an image. After the sample
Sample 1 is prepared, its microstructure is analysed using SEM.
Aluminium alloy 3
Sample 2 Aluminium alloy—92%, Titanium 6.1. Microstructure of Samples
4
dioxide —3% , Boron carbide—5% Fig.4 shows the microstructure of the fractured surface of
Sample 3 Aluminium alloy—92%, Titanium
dioxide —5%, Boron carbide—3%
4 impact test of sample 2 at 100x magnification. The general
arrangement of the composite is clearly visible in the image.
5.4. Brinell Hardness Test Many micro cracks and porous sites are observed in the
The Brinell hardness test is carried out on the three samples sample which is attributed to poor manufacturing and
and the results are shown in Table 5. Fig. 3 shows the improper stirring of the composite.
hardness value of three samples. It can be noted that sample 3
has the maximum hardness followed by sample 1 and sample Fig.5 shows the microstructure of sample 2 with a
2 in all the trials. magnification of 500x. Typical examples of crack paths on the
specimen surface of the composites are seen in the image.
However, only a few debonding particles are observed
compared to sample 3.

3991
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.55 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm

Fig. 6: Sample 3 at 100x

Fig. 4: Sample 2 at 100x

Fig. 5: Sample 2 at 500x Fig. 7: Sample 3 at 500x

Fig. 6 shows the microstructure of sample 3 and the picture 7. Conclusions

shows the inner surface. It consists of tighter packing than the In this work, three different samples are fabricated and the
other composites which explain the better tensile and flexural following inferences are made. It has been inferred that the
properties of the sample 3 compared to samples 2. tensile strength of sample 1 is marginally higher than other
From Fig.7, the images of sample 3 can be clearly two samples because of its Aluminium content. But, the
distinguished from those of samples 2 as these images lack the sample 3 has higher tensile strength (157.1 MPa) than sample
elliptical molecules of the reinforcements which are visible in 2 (148.48 MPa). It has been noted that the flexural strength of
the cases of samples 3. sample 1 is higher than other two samples. Considering the
results of the impact test, the impact value of sample 1 (3 J) is
lower than the impact value of sample 2 (4 J) and sample 3 (4
J). Also, the Brinell hardness of sample 2 (61.5) is marginally
lower than that of sample 3 (61.8), but higher than that of
sample 1 (56.4).

3992
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.55 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm
[9] A. Baradeswaran , S.C. Vettivel, A. Elaya Perumal , N.
Acknowledgement Selvakumar and R. Franklin Issac, ―Experimental
The authors thank the Department of Manufacturing investigation on mechanical behaviour, modelling and
Engineering, CEG Campus, Anna University for providing optimization of wear parameters of B4C and graphite
partial support for carrying out this research work. reinforced Aluminium hybrid composites‖, Materials and
Design, Vol 63, pp.620–632, 2014.
References [10] K. Rajkumar, P. Rajan and J. Maria Antony Charles,
―Microwave Heat Treatment on Aluminium 6061 Alloy-
[1] M. G. Bader, T. W. Clyne, G. R. Cappleman and P. A. Boron Carbide Composites‖, Procedia Engineering, Vol
Hubert, ―The Fabrication and Properties of Metal-matrix 86 , pp.34 – 41, 2014.
Composites Based on Aluminium Alloy Infiltrated [11] K. Kalaiselvan, I. Dinaharan and N. Murugan,
Alumina Fibre Preforms‖, Composites Science and ―Characterization of friction stir welded boron carbide
Technology, Vol 23, pp.287- 301, 1985. particulate reinforced AA6061 aluminum alloy stir cast
[2] S. Barnes and I. R. Pashby, ―Machining of Aluminium composite‖, Materials and Design, Vol 55, pp.176–182,
Based Metal Matrix Composites‖, Applied Composite 2014.
Materials, Vol 2, pp.31-42, 1995. [12] A. Thangarasu , N. Murugan , I. Dinaharan and S.J.
[3] A. M. S. Hamouda and M. S. J. Hashrni, ―Mechanical Vijay, ―Synthesis and characterization of titanium carbide
Properties of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites under particulate reinforced AA6082 Aluminium alloy
Impact Loading‖, Journal of Materials Processing composites via friction stir processing‖, Archives of Civil
Technology, Vol 56, pp.743-756, 1996. and Mechanical Engineering 2014.
[4] A. M. S. Hamouda , S. Sulaiman and M. S. J. Hashmi, [13] R.G. Vogt, Z. Zhang, T.D. Topping, E.J. Lavernia and
―Fast upsetting of circular cylinders of Aluminium metal J.M. Schoenung, ―Cryomilled aluminum alloy and boron
matrix composites:Experimental results and numerical carbide nano-composite plate‖, Journal of Materials
analysis‖, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Processing Technology, Vol 209, pp.5046–5053, 2009.
Vol 60, pp.723-727, 1996. [14] Rıdvan Ünal ,Ismail H. Sarpün, H. Ali Yalım, Ayhan
[5] L.M. Tham, M. Gupta and L. Cheng, ―Influence of Erol, Tuba Özdemir and Sabri Tuncel, ―The mean grain
processing parameters on the near-net shape synthesis of size determination of boron carbide (B4C)–Aluminium
Aluminium-based metal matrix composites‖, Journal of (Al) and boron carbide (B4C)–nickel (Ni) composites by
Materials Processing Technology, Vol 89–90, pp.128– ultrasonic velocity technique‖, Materials Characterization,
134, 1999. Vol 56, pp.241–244, 2006.
[6] G. Abouelmagd, ―Hot deformation and wear resistance of [15] E. Mohammad Sharifi, F. Karimzadeh and M.H. Enayati,
P/M Aluminium metal matrix composites‖, Journal of ―Fabrication and evaluation of mechanical and
Materials Processing Technology, Vol 155–156, tribological properties of boron carbide reinforced
pp.1395–1401, 2004. aluminum matrix nanocomposites‖, Materials and Design,
[7] A.M. Davidsona and D. Regener, ―A comparison of Vol 32, pp.3263–3271, 2011.
Aluminium-based metal-matrix composites reinforced [16] J.O˜noroa, M.D. Salvador and L.E.G. Cambronero,
with coated and uncoated particulate silicon carbide‖, ―High-temperature mechanical properties of Aluminium
Composites Science and Technology, Vol 60, pp.865- alloys reinforced with boron carbide particles‖, Materials
869, 2000. Science and Engineering, Vol A499, pp.421–426, 2009.
[8] B. Vijaya Ramnath , C. Elanchezhian , M. Jaivignesh , S.
Rajesh , C. Parswajinan and A. Siddique Ahmed Ghias,
―Evaluation of mechanical properties of Aluminium
alloy–alumina–boron carbide metal matrix composites‖,
Materials and Design, Vol 58, pp.332–338, 2014.

3993

View publication stats