Influence of Electroless Copper Coated B₄C Particles Addition on the Hardness, Density and Wear Behavior of Al2025 Alloy Composites

The Al2025 alloy composites were produced using the stir cast technique, with 3, 6 and 9 percent of B₄C particles (both uncoated and copper coated) utilized to create the composites. The microstructural, hardness and wear properties of the synthesised composites were tested. To describe the microstructure of the acquired samples, EDS patterns and SEM microscopy were used. The B₄C particles were present, according to the EDS findings. The density of Al2025 alloy was decreased with the addition of B₄C particles. With the inclusion of 9 weight percent of uncoated and Cu-coated B₄C particles, the hardness of the as-cast Al2025 alloy increased to 110.48 BHN and 118.47 BHN, with 63% and 74% respectively. The wear behaviour of Al2025 alloy with coated and uncoated boron carbide particle composites was studied at 10 N to 40 N varying loads and 100 rpm to 400 rpm varying speeds for a 2500 m sliding distance. More wear resistance was observed in composites reinforced with electroless copper-coated B₄C particles than in uncoated composites under the influence of both load and speed. In the present research copper coated carbide particles were used to improve the wettability between the Al2025 alloy and B₄C particles. Inspecting SEM micrographs of copper-coated and uncoated composites, it was seen that their wear surfaces take on distinct shapes and textures.