Effect of distribution of B4C on the mechanical behaviour of Al-6061/B4C composite

In this work, the effect of mixing parameters on the distribution of B₄C in 6061-Al alloy and its correlation with mechanical behaviour was studied. 6061-Al alloy powder was mixed with 10 mass-% B₄C powder in a ball mill and powder rotator mixer by varying mixing time from 1 to 5?h. Mixing was performed in both wet and dry conditions in a ball mill while only dry condition was used in the powder rotator mixer. The green compacts were sintered at 630°C. The quadrat method was used to quantify the distribution of B₄C particles in the microstructures of sintered Al/B₄C composite. The results showed that the distribution was improved with mixing time but the density, hardness and compression strength of Al/B₄C composites were reduced with time during ball milling. On the other hand, the distribution of reinforcement, density, hardness and compressive strength of Al/B₄C composites was improved with mixing time in the powder rotator mixer.