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

K C Vishwanath; Nagabhushana N; Bharath V; Virupaxi Auradi; Rajendra P; Madeva Nagaral; Manjunath Vatnalmath; Mohammed Kareemullah; Nagaraj Namdev; Abhishek Bhattacherjee; Balaraj V

Research Article

Recieved:

29/12/2024

Accepted:

05/05/2025

Page:

–

doi:

http://dx.doi.org/10.17515/resm2025-601me1229rs

Views:

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

K C Vishwanath¹, Nagabhushana N², Bharath V³, Virupaxi Auradi⁴, Rajendra P⁵, Madeva Nagaral⁶, Manjunath Vatnalmath⁴, Mohammed Kareemullah⁷, Nagaraj Namdev⁸, Abhishek Bhattacherjee⁹, Balaraj V¹⁰

¹Dept. of Robotics and Automation, Rajarajeswari College of Eng., Bangalore, Karnataka, India
²Dept. of Mechanical Eng., New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
³Dept. of Mechanical Eng., RNS Institute of Technology, Bengalru, Karnataka, India
⁴Dept. of Mechanical Eng., Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumakuru, Karnataka, India
⁵Dept. of Mechanical Eng. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
⁶Aircraft Research and Design Centre, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
⁷Dept. of Mechanical Eng., Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, Uttarakhand & Centre of Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab
⁸Dept. of Mechanical Eng., APS Polytechnic, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
⁹Dept. of Computer Science Eng., Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India
¹⁰Dept. of Mechanical Eng., Rao Bahadur Y. Mahabaleshwarappa Engineering College, Ballari, Karnataka, India

Abstract

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.