An Investigation on the Tribological Behaviors of Al 6061–B4C Metal Matrix Composites

© 2021, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.Abstract: Ceramic reinforcements are used in metal matrix composite materials to enhance the mechanical properties. Ceramic particles also improve the wear behavior of these materials because of their high hardness. In this study, the wear properties of Al 6061–B4C composite materials reinforced with B4C in different sizes were investigated. Al 6061 powders, which are mixed with B4C powders in three different sizes at a volume fraction of 10%, are sintered at 550°C under 450 MPa pressure for 2 h. The billets were formed to composite bars by direct extrusion process. It was also produced some hybrid composites including graphite reinforcement. The effects of B4C reinforcement size, shear rate, heat treatment and graphite reinforcement on wear behavior of the composite were investigated. Wear tests were carried out under dry conditions with pin-on-disc test configuration. The adding of the B4C reinforcement to the matrix material increased the wear resistance, and the wear resistance of composites was improved further by the increasing of B4C grain size. It was seen that the graphite reinforcement has not positive effect on wear properties. The heat treatment that applied to composites, improved the mechanical properties of the composite materials. However, in heat treated composites, the wear resistance were decreased with the increasing of the B4C grain size