Research article

Evaluation of mechanical behaviour and tensile failure analysis of 8 wt.% of nano B₄C particles reinforced Al2214 alloy nano composites

¹ Mechanical Engineering Department, University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore University, Bangalore, 560001, Karnataka, India
² Aircraft Research and Design Centre, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore 560037, Karnataka, India
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore 560103, Karnataka, India

^* e-mail: madev.nagaral@gmail.com

Received: 13 April 2022
Accepted: 2 September 2022

Abstract

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Al2214-8 wt.% of 500 nm sized B₄C particles reinforced composites were studied in this study. By using a liquid metallurgical process, composites containing 8 wt.% of B₄C in Al2214 alloy were created. To increase the wettability and dispersion of the composites, fortification particles were warmed to 300 °C and then added in groups of two into the vortex of liquid Al2214 alloy compound. ASTM standards were used to analyse the mechanical characteristics of Al2214 alloy and Al2214-8 wt.% of B₄C composites. The distribution and presence of nano B₄C particles in the Al2214 alloy matrix were confirmed by microstructural analysis using SEM and EDS. XRD patterns indicated the presence of the B₄C phases in Al2214 alloy composites. The addition of 8 wt.% of B₄C particles to Al2214 alloy improved its hardness, ultimate, yield, and compression strength. Furthermore, the presence of B₄C particles reduced the ductility of the Al2214 alloy. The tested materials were subjected to tensile fractography to determine the various fracture mechanisms.