Reinforcement Surface Modification Effect on the Microstructure, Mechanical, and Tensile Fractography of Al2219 Alloy B4C Composites

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, B.L.D.E.A’s Dr. P. G. Halakatti College of Engineering and Technology, Vijayapur-586103, Karnataka, India

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, India

3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nitte (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology, Karkala-574110, Karnataka, India

4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government Engineering College, Gangavathi-583227, Karnataka, India

5 Department of Mechanical Engineering, H.K.E. Society’s SiR M. Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Raichur-584135, Karnataka, India

6 Aircraft Research and Design Centre, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore-560037, Karnataka, India

7 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ballari Institute of Technology and Management, Ballari, Karnataka, India

8 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumakuru-572103, Karnataka, India

9 Department of Mechanical Engineering, APS Polytechnic, Bangalore-560082, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Al2219 alloy composites were produced through the stir cast process, with varying amounts of copper-coated B4C particles (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) incorporated. The mechanical performance of surface-modified B4C additions to Al2219 alloy was examined by conducting tensile tests on the prepared composites. The synthesized composites' microstructural, mechanical, and tensile fractured surfaces were evaluated. Characterization of the samples' microstructure using SEM microscopy and EDS patterns. B4C particle existence was verified by the EDS findings. The inclusion of Cu-coated B4C reinforcement enhanced the hardness, tensile, and bending strength of the metal composite in contrast to the uncoated B4C particles. Hardness of Al2219 alloy was improved by 92.4% with the 10 wt.% of Cu coated B4C in the Al matrix. Further, there was a 73.5 % improvement in the ultimate strength. The Al2219 alloy composite's ductility decreased with the reinforcement's incorporation. Tensile fractured surfaces SEM micrographs show strong bonding between the matrix and boron carbide particles. The particle shear was observed in the case of copper-coated B4C reinforced composites due to increased wettability. Various fractured surfaces were studied using SEM micrographs to determine fracture mechanisms in composites.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. Nikhil, G., Nguyen, Q. and Pradeep, K.R., 2011. Analysis of active cooling through nickel-coated carbon fibers in the solidification processing of aluminium matrix composites. Composites Part B, 42, pp. 916-925.
  2. Bharath, V., Nagaral, M. and Auradi, V., 2012. Preparation of 6061Al-Al2O3 metal matrix composite by stir casting and evaluation of mechanical properties. International Journal of Metallurgical & Materials Science and Engineering, 2(3), pp. 22-31.
  3. Nagaral, M., Auradi, V. and Kori, S. A., 2015. Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al6061-Graphite composites fabricated by stir casting process. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 766, pp. 308-314.
  4. Zulfia, A., Putro, E.C., Wahyudi, M.D. and Daneshwara, B.W., 2018. Fabrication and characteristics of ADC-12 reinforced nano SiC and nano Al2O3 composites through stir casting route. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 432, 012032.
  5. Canakci, A., Arslan, F. and Yasar, I., 2007. Pre-treatment process of B4C particles to improve incorporation into molten AA2014 alloy. Journal of Materials Science, 42, pp.9536–9542.
  6. Raj, K., Deshpande, R.G., Gopinath, P., Jayasheel, H., Nagaral, M. and Auradi, V., 2011. Mechanical Fractography and Worn Surface Analysis of Nanographite and ZrO2-Reinforced Al7075 Alloy Aerospace Metal Composites. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, 21, pp. 525-536.
  7. Pankaj, R.J., Sridhar, B.R., Nagaral, M. and Jayasheel, I.H., 2017. Evaluation of mechanical properties of B4C and graphite particulates reinforced A356 alloy hybrid composites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 4(9), pp. 9972-9976.
  8. Clement, T.S. and Pugazhenthi, R., 2021. Effect of process parameter on synthesizing of TiC reinforced Al7075 aluminium alloy nano composites. Materials Today Proceedings, 37(2), pp. 1978-1981.
  9. Satish, B.B., Samuel, D., Bharath, V.M., Nagaral, M., Aravinda, T., Vijee, K. and Virupaxi, A., 2021. Development and Mechanical Characterisation of Al6061-Al2O3-Graphene Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites. Journal of Composites Science, 5(6), pp. 155.
  10. Siddesh, M., Shivakumar, B.P., Shashidhar, S. and Nagaral, M., 2021. Dry sliding wear behavior of mica, fly ash and red mud particles reinforced Al7075 alloy hybrid metal matrix composites. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 14(4), pp. 310-318.
  11. Umanath, K., Selvamani, S.T., Palanikumar, K., Raphael, T. and Prashanth, K., 2013. Effect of sliding distance on dry sliding wear behavior of Al6061-SiC-Al2O3 hybrid composite. Proceedings of International Conference on Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 749-75.
  12. Nagaral, M., Vijaykumar, H., Auradi, V., Kori, S. A., 2018. Influence of Two-Stage Stir Casting Process on Mechanical Characterization and Wear Behavior of AA2014-ZrO2 Nano-composites. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 71, pp. 2845-2850.
  13. Veeresh Kumar, G.B., Gude, V.C., Mandadi, S.V., Jayarami, R.K., Nagaral, M. and Naresh, K., 2022. Effects of addition of Titanium Diboride and Graphite Particulate Reinforcements on physical, mechanical and tribological properties of Al6061 Alloy based Hybrid Metal Matrix Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies, 8(2), pp. 2259-2276.
  14. Bharath, V., Auradi, V., Nagaral, M. and Satish,B.B., 2020. Experimental Investigations on Mechanical and Wear Behaviour of 2014Al–Al2O3 Composites. Journal of Bio-and Tribo-Corrosion, 6, pp. 1-10.
  15. Nagaral, M., Auradi, V., Parashivamurthy, K.I., Kori, and S. A. Shivananda, B.K., 2018. Synthesis and characterization of Al6061-SiC-graphite composites fabricated by liquid metallurgy. Materials Today: Proceedings, 5(1), pp. 2836-2843.
  16. Gopal Krishna, U.B., Vasudeva, B., Virupaxi, A. and Nagaral, M., 2021. Effect of percentage variation on wear behaviour of tungsten carbide and cobalt reinforced Al7075 matrix composites synthesized by melt stirring method. Journal of Bio-and Tribo-Corrosion, 7(3), pp. 89.
  17. Bharath, V., Auradi, V., Nagaral, M., Satish, B.B., Ramesh, S. and Palanikumar, K., 2021. Microstructural and wear behavior of Al2014-alumina composites with varying alumina content. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 75, pp. 133-147.
  18. Vasanth Kumar, H.S., Kempaiah, U.N., Nagaral, M. and Revanna, K., 2021. Investigations on mechanical behaviour of micro B4C particles reinforced Al6061 alloy metal composites. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 14(22), pp. 1855-1863.
  19. Sampath, K.R., Chittappa, H.C. and Nagaral, M., 2025. Influence graphite and ZrO2 particles addition on the mechanical and wear behavior of Al7075 alloy composites. Journal of Bio and Tribo Corrosion, 11(3), pp. 92.
  20. Zeeshan, A., Muthuraman, V., Rathnakumar, P., Gurusamy, P. and Nagaral, M., 2022. Studies on mechanical properties of 3 wt% of 40 and 90 µm size B4C particulates reinforced A356 alloy composites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 52, pp. 494-499.
  21. Pathalinga, G.P., Chittappa, H.C., Nagaral, M. and Auradi, V., 2020. Influence of B4C Reinforcement Particles with Varying Sizes on the Tensile Failure and Fractography of LM29 Alloy Composites. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, 20(6), pp. 2078-2086.
  22. Samuel, D., Satish, B.B., Auradi, V., Nagaral, M., Udaya, R.M., Bharath, V., 2021. Evaluation of Wear Properties of Heat-Treated Al-AlB2in-situ Metal Matrix Composites. Journal of Bio-and Tribo-Corrosion, 7(40), pp. 1-11.
  23. Nagaraj, N., Mahendra, K.V. and Nagaral, M., 2018. Microstructure and evaluation of mechanical properties of Al-7Si-fly ash composites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 5(1), pp. 3109-3116.
  24. Fazil, N., Venkataramana, V., Nagaral, M. and Auradi, V., 2018. Synthesis and mechanical characterization of micro B4C particulates reinforced AA2124 alloy composites. International Journal of Engineering and Technology UAE, 7(2.23), pp. 225-229.
  25. Balaraj, V., Nagaraj, K., Nagaral, M. and Auradi, V., 2021. Microstructural evolution and mechanical characterization of micro Al2O3 particles reinforced Al6061 alloy metal composites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 47, pp. 5959-5965.
  26. Manjunatha, T.H., Yadavalli, B., Nagaral, M., Venkataramana, V. and Jayasheel, I. H., 2018. Investigations on mechanical behavior of Al7075-nano B4C composites. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 376(1), 012091.
  27. Krishna, P.S., Samuel, D., Rajesh, M., Nagaral, M., Auradi, V. and Rabin, S., 2022. Preparation and mechanical characterization of TiC particles reinforced Al7075 alloy composites. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering,
  28. Pankaj, R.J., Nagaral, M., Shivakumar, R. and Jayasheel, I.H., 2020. Impact of boron carbide and graphite dual particulates addition on wear behavior of A356 alloy metal matrix composites. Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals, 30(4), pp. 106-112.
  29. Bharath, V., Auradi, V., Veeresh Kumar, G.B., Nagaral, M., Murthy, C., Mahmoud, H., Rokayya, S., Aljuraide, N.I., Jong, W.H. and Ahmed, M.G., 2022. Microstructural Evolution, Tensile Failure, Fatigue Behavior and Wear Properties of Al2O3 Reinforced Al2014 Alloy T6 Heat Treated Metal Composites. Materials, 15(12), 4244.
  30. Priyankar, D., Zeeshan, A., Nagaral, M., Rathnakumar, P., Muthuraman, V. and Umar, M.D., 2022. Microstructure and evolution of mechanical properties of Cu-Sn alloy with graphite and nano zirconium oxide particulates. Materials Today: Proceedings, 52, pp. 296-300.
  31. Vasanth Kumar, H.S., Kempaiah, U.N., Nagaral, M. and Auradi, V., 2021. Impact, tensile and fatigue failure analysis of boron carbide particles reinforced Al-Mg-Si (Al6061) alloy composites. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, 21(6), pp. 2177-2189.
  32. Angadi, S.B., Sntosh, K., Nagaral, M., Auradi, V. and Balaraj, V., 2025. Effect of ceramic boron carbide particles addition on the mechanical and microstructural characteristics Al7020 Alloy composites. Mechanics of Advanced Composite Structures, 12(1), 169-180.
  33. Bharath, V., Virupaxi, A., Nagaral, M., Manjunath, V., Nagaraj, N., Chandrashekar, A., Shanawaz, P., Abdul, R., Abdullah, H.A., Shamshad, A. and Mohammad, O.Q., 2023. Al2014–alumina aerospace composites: particle size impacts on microstructure, mechanical, fractography, and wear characteristics. ACS omega, 8(14), pp. 13444-13455.
  34. Rashmi, P.S., Mahesh, T.S., Zeeshan, A., Veeresha, G. and Nagaral, M., 2022. Studies on mechanical behaviour and tensile fractography of boron carbide particles reinforced Al8081 alloy advanced metal composites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 52, pp. 2115-2120.
  35. Gorad, S.R., Satish, B.B., Samuel, D., Nagaral, M. and Auradi, V., 2024. Microstructure, mechanical behavior, and tensile fractography of Si3N4-reinforced Al2219 alloy composites synthesized by squeeze casting method. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-024-01956-0.
  36. Youming, L., Yaling, H. and Jie, L., 2023. Quanfang Chen, Copper coated graphene reinforced aluminium composites with enhanced mechanical strength and conductivity. Vacuum, 218, 112610.
  37. Rashmi, P.S., Hemanth Raju, T.H., Nagaral, M., Nithin, K. and Auradi, V., 2024. Effect of B4C particles addition on the mechanical, tensile fracture and wear Behavior of Al7075 alloy composites. Journal of Bio-and Tribo-Corrosion, 10(2), p.32.
  38. Subbaraya, M.K., Mahendra, K.V., Bharatish, A., Manjunatha, B., Nagaraj, N. and Nagaral, M., 2024. Impact on casting die diameter size on microstructure and fractographic studies of Al‐2024 alloy reinforced with fly ash and SiC Hybrid Composites. Applied Research, 3(4), p.e202300066.
  39. Ramesh, C.S., Keshavamurthy, R., Channabasappa, B.H. and Ahmed, A., 2009. Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ni–P coated Si3N4 reinforced Al6061 composites. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 502(1-2), pp.99-106.
  40. Raksha, M.S., Nagaral, M., Satish, B.B., Chandrashekar, A., Mohammad, S., Mohammed, O., Saiful, I., Vivek, B., Rohini, K.P., Mohammad, A.K. and Abdul, R., 2023. Impact of boron carbide particles and weight percentage on the mechanical and wear characterization of Al2011 alloy metal composites. ACS Omega, 8(26), pp. 23763-23771.
  41. Ali, Z., Muthuraman, V., Rathnakumar, P., Gurusamy, P. and Nagaral, M., 2023. Influence of B4C particle size on the mechanical behaviour of A356 aluminium composites. Research on Engineering Structures and Materials, 9(2), 527-540.
Mechanics of Advanced Composite Structures
Volume 13, Issue 1 - Serial Number 27
In Progress
April 2026
Pages 197-210

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics