226
S. Mozammil et al.
Fig. 4 Scanning electron micrographs of the fracture surface of the a Al-4.5%Cu alloy, b Al4.5%Cu-3%TiB 2 composite, and c Al-4.5%Cu-6%TiB 2 composite. (Color figure online)
was about 6 μm while for the aluminum alloy composite it was around 1.9 μm (precision measured using the line intercept method). When compared to the base alloy a
smaller size of the dimples was observed for the engineered aluminum alloy composites. This is essentially because of the presence of the reinforcing TiB 2 particulates.
The growth of dimples is also suppressed by the presence and dispersion of the hard,
brittle, and essentially elastically deforming TiB 2 particulate reinforcements in the
soft aluminum alloy metal matrix. Due to better distribution of the reinforcing TiB 2
particulates an excellent bonding was favored to occur between the soft aluminum
alloy metal matrix and the hard and brittle TiB 2 particulate reinforcements.
Conclusions
The following are the key findings and conclusions that can be drawn from this novel
research study:
1. By using mixed salt route and stir casting process Al-4.5%Cu-xTiB 2 composites were synthesized for purpose of this novel research study. In the current
study, it was found that titanium diboride (TiB 2 ) particulate reinforcements were
distributed, near uniformly through the aluminum alloy metal matrix.
S. Mozammil et al.
Fig. 4 Scanning electron micrographs of the fracture surface of the a Al-4.5%Cu alloy, b Al4.5%Cu-3%TiB 2 composite, and c Al-4.5%Cu-6%TiB 2 composite. (Color figure online)
was about 6 μm while for the aluminum alloy composite it was around 1.9 μm (precision measured using the line intercept method). When compared to the base alloy a
smaller size of the dimples was observed for the engineered aluminum alloy composites. This is essentially because of the presence of the reinforcing TiB 2 particulates.
The growth of dimples is also suppressed by the presence and dispersion of the hard,
brittle, and essentially elastically deforming TiB 2 particulate reinforcements in the
soft aluminum alloy metal matrix. Due to better distribution of the reinforcing TiB 2
particulates an excellent bonding was favored to occur between the soft aluminum
alloy metal matrix and the hard and brittle TiB 2 particulate reinforcements.
Conclusions
The following are the key findings and conclusions that can be drawn from this novel
research study:
1. By using mixed salt route and stir casting process Al-4.5%Cu-xTiB 2 composites were synthesized for purpose of this novel research study. In the current
study, it was found that titanium diboride (TiB 2 ) particulate reinforcements were
distributed, near uniformly through the aluminum alloy metal matrix.