THREE-LAYER Al/Al–B₄C COMPOSITE MATERIAL PREPARED BY CASTING AND HOT ROLLING

Abstract

Casting and hot rolling are proposed to verify a semi-continuous casting and hot rolling process to produce a three-layer Al/Al–B₄C metal-cermet composite. The outer layer is pure Al, the inner layer is Al matrix composite reinforced with B₄C particles (the mass fraction of Al and B₄C are 62.36 and 37.64%, respectively). The results show that the reinforced particles are distributed in the inner layer homogeneously, and both layers are sintered together with no pores or flaws. The clad ratios of the composites of 26, 5, 3, and 1 mm are 50.28, 54.67, 61.23, and 57.46%, respectively. The Vickers hardness varies from 46 HV for the outer pure aluminum layer to 158 HV for the inner composite layer in 3 mm specimen, indicating totally different properties in different layers.