Al 6061-TiB_2 Metal Matrix Composite Synthesized with Different Reaction Holding Times by In-Situ Method

摘要

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been developed to meet the requirements in the field of transportation and similar engineering applications due to their superior mechanical properties. Aluminium (Al) alloys are used as common matrix phases for the production of a variety of metal matrix composites due to their low density, good corrosion resistance, high electrical and thermal conductivities, high damping capacity and their ability to be strengthened by precipitation. Al 6061 alloys are widely used in many engineering applications in the fields of construction and transportation where superior mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength are essential. By incorporating TiB_2 reinforcement phase in the Al 6061 alloy, Al 6061-TiB_2 metal matrix composite can be manufactured using the in-situ salt-metal reaction technique. The addition of TiB_2 to the metal matrix increases the strength of the matrix phase. An attempt was made to synthesize Al 6061 and TiB_2 using in-situ technique where halide salts namely potassium hexaflurotitanate (K_2TiF_6) and potassium tetrafluroborate (KBF_4) were introduced in the Al 6061 melt at 850℃ with different reaction holding times in order to investigate the degree of in-situ reaction in the synthesis of Al 6061 - TiB_2 metal matrix composite.