Fabrication and Characterization of Hot Rolled and Hot Extruded Boron Carbide (B4C) Reinforced A356 Aluminum Alloy Matrix Composites Produced by Stir Casting Method

摘要

In this study, stir casting method was used to fabricate A356-3 wt% B4C composite. The microstructural and mechanical characteristics of composites fabricated at 750, 850 and 950 A degrees C with stirring times of 10, 15 and 20 min were investigated. Also, hot extrusion and hot rolling were carried out as a further deformation treatment in order to upgrade the mechanical properties and modify the microstructural characteristics. It was found that at a constant stirring time, an increase in pouring temperature first enhanced and then degraded the mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile strength versus stirring time at a constant temperature showed a similar trend. The optimal values for stirring time and pouring temperature were determined as 15 min and 850 A degrees C, respectively. Also, it was experimentally confirmed that the size of pores was refined due to hot deformation processes. Moreover, distribution of reinforcement phase was modified after hot deformation processes and thus superior mechanical properties was obtained.