Hot Forged Al6061/TiB2 in-situ Composites: Study on Microstructure and Microhardness

Abstract

In the present investigation, microstructure and microhardness studies were conducted on hot forged Al6061/TiB2 in-situ composites with varying content of in-situ formed TiB2 particles. By facilitating reaction between Al-10%Ti and Al-3%B master alloys at 800°C in the Al6061 melt, TiB2 particles were formed by in-situ technique. Using appropriate quantity of master alloys, about 5 wt% and 10 wt% TiB2 particles were formed in the Al6061 composites. The Al6061 and its in-situ composites were subjected to hot forging at 500°C and about 50% reduction was accomplished. Optical microscopy analysis was conducted to check the dispersion of TiB2 particles in the in-situ composites. Vicker’s microhardness test was conducted as per ASTM E384 standard to check the influence of varying TiB2 particle content on microhardness of Al6061 alloy. The dispersion of TiB2 particles was found to be fairly uniform throughout the Al6061 matrix with minimal clustering. The microhardness of in-situ composites was found to increase with the increase in TiB2 particles content.