Reaction Mechanisms and Tensile Properties of the Composites Fabricated by Al-B₂O₃ System

Abstract

The aluminum matrix composites (AlB₂+α-Al₂O₃)/Al were fabricated by in situ reaction synthesis from an Al-B₂O₃ system. The reaction pathways, apparent activation energies and tensile properties were analyzed by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and equipped energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that there are two-step reactions in the Al-B₂O₃ system. The first-step is 15Al+7B₂O₃→7α-Al₂O₃+AlB₁₂+2B and the second-step is 2B+AlB₁₂+6Al→7AlB₂. Their corresponding apparent activation energies are 352 and 444 kJ/mol, respectively. The tensile strength and elongation rate of the composites are 190.5 MPa and 6.6%, respectively.Compared with ordinary aluminum base material, the performance is superior. There are many dimple and cracked α-Al₂O₃ reinforcements in tensile fracture surface layer.

Keywords

aluminum matrix composites / in situ reaction synthesis / differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) / X-ray diffraction (XRD) / transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

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