Effect of the Addition of Boron Carbide Particles on the Mechanical Characteristics of AA7050 Composites

Metal matrix nanocomposites are a newly developed material with promising applications in a wide variety of areas, ranging from medical to aerospace structures, owing to their lightweight, high-strength properties. A light metal like aluminum is usually strengthened by a reinforcing agent of carbides, nitrides, oxides, carbon-based materials, or even elementals to boost the mechanical performance without sacrificing lightweight; however, almost all reinforcing nanomaterials are commonly poorly wetted by metals leading to agglomerations, clusterings, among other problems, with diminished ductility and overall mechanical performance. To tackle the mentioned problems, a number of strategies including coatings, thermal, mechanical, or chemical treatments may be followed. In the present study, mechanical dispersion of varying wt% of nano-boron carbide particles (0 to 2wt %) in a molten AA7050 alloy through applying high-intensity agitations in order to improve dispersibility, wettability, and interfacial affinity. AA 7050 +1%nB4C shows better mechanical properties. Major Findings: Mechanical Characterization of 1 wt% nanocomposites shows better properties compared to all other composites. Hardness of Nanocomposites shows a better hardness value compared to the base alloy.