EFFECT OF B₄C PARTICLE SIZE ON THE PROPERTIES OF Al/(Al–B₄C)/Al FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT MATERIAL

Abstract

The functionally gradient material (FGM), consisting of pure Al outer layer and Al–B₄C inner layer, was fabricated by semi-continuous casting with subsequent hot rolling. B₄C particles of four different sizes (11, 26, 53, and 75 μm) were used as the reinforcement phase. The effect of B₄C size on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the FGM composites was analyzed. Obtained results show that the B₄C particles are uniformly distributed in the inner layer. With the increase of B₄C particle size, the Brinell hardness of these FGMs increases, but the impact properties decrease.