PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AL 6061–TIB2 IN – SITU METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE

Abstract: Many researchers are getting attracted by aluminium matrix composite due to its properties like high hardness, strength, wear resistance, stiffness and specific modulus. However, the presence of coarse reinforcement particles and their non uniform distribution and micro structural heterogeneity affect adversely the mechanical properties of aluminium alloys. The composites fabricated using in-situ method, to a certain extent, can eliminate these limitations. Entrapment of fine and small sized particles in the matrix-reinforcement interface helps in the creation of stronger interfacial bond. Aluminium 6061 alloys are widely used in many engineering applications in construction and transportation where superior mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength are essentially required. TiB2 is a refractory compound that exhibits high hardness and strength, high melting point and modulus. Using halide salts namely potassium hexafluro titanate (K2TiF6) and potassium tetrafluro borate (KBF4) an attempt has been made to investigate the degree of in-situ reaction in the synthesis of Al 6061 – TiB2 metal matrix composite.

Keywords: Aluminium matrix composite (AMC), Al 6061 alloy, In-situ, Al 6061- TiB2 metal matrix composite.