Production and characterization of B4C reinforced Al-Fe based composites by mechanical alloying and mikrowave sintering methods

Today, aluminum alloys and composites are widely used in important application areas such as aerospace, aerospace, and automotive with their low density, high corrosion resistance, hardenability, availability, and manufacturability. In this thesis, the different ratios (0, 5 and 10 wt%) of B4C reinforced Al-3 wt.% and 10 wt.% Fe composites were produced using a combined meyhod of mechanical alloying, uniaxial pressing (600 MPa) and microwave sintering (1 h at 600 ºC). The effect of mechanical alloying duration on the different composites compositions were also investigated. Microstructures and mechanical properties of produced composites were revealed using a variety of characterization techniques. The XRD results showed that Al13Fe4 intermetallic phase occurance in composite bodies depend on the Fe content and mechanical alloying time. While the density values decreased with increasing B4C amount, the hardness values of them increased. The 10 wt.% Fe added Al composite gave the highest relative density with a value of ̴97 %. The highest hardness value was obtained from the 10 wt. % Fe and B4C reinforced Al based composite (after 15 h of mechanical alloying) with an HV value of ̴ 243.