Universal Journal of Materials Science · 2014 · 30 citations · 6 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceMaterials CharacterizationMaterials ProcessingMetallurgyAlloysMetalsMicrostructure AnalysisPowder MetallurgyPowder ProcessingSinteringAluminium AlloysAluminum AlloysEnergy Dispersive X-ray SpectroscopyEnergy-dispersive X-ray SpectroscopyHardnessHardness EvolutionMicrostructurePowder Metallurgy Processing
In the present work, three different types-layered Al-B<sub>4</sub>C functionally graded materials were fabricated via powder metallurgy. The Al-B<sub>4</sub>C powder mixtures were cold pressed in two different pressures (400 and 500MPa) and sintered at 600℃ for 3h under argon atmosphere. After investigating the pressure and sintering process of the mixed powder with different compositions, the density, microstructure, elemental distribution and hardness variation of the produced FGMs were evaluated. A detailed characterization of the microstructure of the FGMs was carried out using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The results revealed that the mechanical properties of the Al-B<sub>4</sub>C FGMs system strongly depend on constitutional variation, and display various graded distributions as well. The microstructure of FGMs so produced exhibits a gradual change of hardness from 165BHN in aluminum to 250BHN in B<sub>4</sub>C region.
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