Mechanical and fractography behavior of nano and micro boron carbide particles reinforced Al2014 alloy composites for aerospace applications

Nano- and micro particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites are promising materials for the aerospace and automotive industries. These composites exhibit high strength and specific modulus with low density. In this study, the authors looked into how adding boron carbide (B4C) in nano and micron sizes altered the mechanical properties of Al2014 alloy composites. Using a novel two-stage casting method, composites of Al2014 alloy were synthesized with 3 and 6 wt.% of B4C, respectively, using particles with sizes of 200 nm and 25 microns. Microstructural analysis using SEM and EDS was performed on Al2014 alloy with nano- and micron-sized B4C composites. Additionally, studies of density, mechanical properties, and fractography were conducted to understand the impact of particle size on the behavior of the Al2014 alloy. Elemental presence was verified by EDS spectra, and microstructural analysis of the Al2014 alloy showed a regular distribution of particles. A minor reduction in elongation occurred, accompanied by enhancements in all other mechanical parameters with the addition of nano- and micron-sized B4C. Moreover, in comparison to micron-sized particle-reinforced composites, the Al2014 alloy containing 3 and 6 wt.% of 200 nm B4C exhibited markedly superior hardness, ultimate strength, yield strength, and compressive strength.