Investigations on Microstructure, Mechanical, Physical Properties and Corrosion Behavior of A356–Al2O3–B4C Composites

This research work made an effort to produce A356–Al2O3–B4C composites. The composites were fabricated via stir casting process with various weight percentages. The compositions of the composites are A356, A356-5wt.% Al2O3-5wt.% B4C, A356-10wt.% Al2O3-5wt.% B4C and A356-15wt.% Al2O3-5wt.%B4C composite. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the microstructure on the produced composites. SEM microstructure shows the fine dispersal of Al2O3 and B4C with matrix. The effect of Al2O3 and B4C weight percentage on density, porosity and corrosion behavior was investigated. The results revealed that addition of Al2O3 and B4C reinforcement increases the density and corrosion resistance and reduces the porosity. Mechanical properties of the reinforced A356 composites with various weight percentages were evaluated as per the ASTM standards. Assimilation of Al2O3–B4C composites with different percentages of weight enhanced hardness, ultimate tensile strength of A356.