Mechanical Characterisation of AA6061 Reinforced with Ceramic Particles through Mechanical Alloying

摘要

Atomised aluminium alloy AA6061 powders were mixed with 5% of ceramic particles using attritor mill equipment. Ceramic powders were TiB2, Si3N4 and B4C. After mechanical alloying, powders were die pressed into cylindrical shape before graphite coating in order to seal it and also to lubricate the extrusion die. Coated cylinders were hot extruded using a 5:2 rate in order to get bars of 10 mm diameter. Extruded bars were machined into tensile tests pieces according to ISO 2740 Standard. Besides tensile strength and elongation, density and hardness were evaluated. Also a microstructure study was carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopy.