Mechanical properties of Al-Cu/B4C and Al-Mg/B4C metal matrix composites
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To be able to successfully produce ceramic-reinforced aluminum matrix composites by using the powder metallurgy method, the wetting of ceramic reinforcements should be increased. In addition, the negative effects of the oxide layer of the aluminum matrix on sinterability should be minimized. In order to break the oxide layer, the deoxidation property of Mg can be used. Furthermore, by creating a liquid phase, both wettability and sinterability can be improved. In this study, the effects of Mg and Cu alloy elements and sintering phase on the wettability, sinterability, and mechanical properties of Al/B4C composites were investigated. For this purpose, various amounts (5, 10, 20, and 30 wt.-%) of B4C reinforced Al5Cu and Al5Mg matrix composites were produced by the powder metallurgy method. After pressing under 400 MPa pressure, composite samples were sintered for 4 hours. The sintering was carried out in two different groups as solid phase sintering at 560 degrees C and liquid phase sintering at 610 degrees C. Despite the deoxidation effect of Mg in Al5Mg matrix composites, higher mechanical properties were determined in Al5Cu composites which were sintered in liquid phase because wettability increased. The highest mechanical properties were obtained in the 20 wt.-% B4C reinforced Al5Cu sample sintered in liquid phase.