Optimization and Fabrication of B4C and Aloe vera

Reinforced Aluminium-matrix-composite
Introduction
 Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) refers to the class of light weight high
performance aluminium centric material systems.
 Three decades of intensive research have provided a wealth of new
scientific knowledge on the intrinsic and extrinsic effects of ceramic
reinforcement
 A Composite material is a material made from two or more constituent
materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties that,
when combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the
individual components.
 The new material may be preferred for many reasons. Common examples
include materials which are stronger, lighter, or less expensive when
compared to traditional materials.
Introduction
 The reinforced materials used are B4C and Aloe Vera.
 Boron carbide provides high melting point, outstanding hardness, good
mechanical properties, low specific weight, great resistance to chemical
agents. Ultimate Tensile Strength, Wear Resistance, Hardness, Ultimate Yield
Strength, Compressive Strength of metal matrix composite are significantly
increased with reinforcement of B4C.
 Aloe vera is easily available material and also eco friendly. More than
enough agricultural fibre residues are available to support composite
manufacturing needs. It would be tested for light density and greater
strength to weight ratio when compared with fly ash reinforced composites.
Understanding the Alloys of Aluminium
 Wrought Alloys –
 The 4-digit system used to identify the Wrought Aluminium is as follows -
 Aluminium (>99.00%) - 1XXX
 Aluminium alloys grouped by major alloying elements.
 Copper – 2XXX
 Manganese – 3XXX
 Silicon – 4XXX
 Magnesium – 5XXX
 Magnesium and Silicon – 6XXX
 Zinc – 7XXX
 Other Elements – 8XXX
 Unused Series – 9XXX
Understanding the Alloys of Aluminium
 Cast Alloys –
 The 4-digit system incorporating a decimal point is used to identify the
Aluminium and Aluminium alloys in the form of castings and foundry ingots.
 Aluminium (>99.00%) - 1XX.X
 Aluminium alloys grouped by major alloying elements.
 Copper – 2XX.X
 Silicon with added copper and/or Magnesium – 3XX.X
 Silicon – 4XX.X
 Magnesium – 5XX.X
 Zinc – 7XX.X
 Tin – 8XX.X
 Other Elements – 9XX.X
 Unused Series – 6XX.X
Effects of Alloying Elements
 Chromium
 Low diffusion rate thus forms a fine dispersed phase in wrought products.
 Major drawback is increase in quench sensitivity which leads to
precipitation on Cr phase particles.

 Copper
 Good response to solution heat treatment and subsequent ageing.
 Increases hardness and strength and decreases elongation.

 Copper-Magnesium
 Increases strength accompanied by high ductility.
 Major drawback is decrease in tensile elongation.
Effects of Alloying Elements
 Magnesium-Silicon
 Moderate strength, Good ductility and Excellent corrosion resistance.

 Aloe Vera
 Perennial, drought resisting, abundant plant, extensively used in
medicinal purposes and cosmetic industry.
 Less dense, eco-friendly material with considerable wettability.
 Can be easily reinforced through Stir Casting.

 Boron Carbide (B4C)

 High melting point, Outstanding hardness, Good mechanical properties,
Low specific weight, High resistance to chemical agents.
 Ultimate Tensile Strength, Wear Resistance, Hardness, Ultimate Yield
Strength, Compressive Strength of metal matrix composite are
significantly increased with reinforcement of B4C.
Mechanical Properties
 To finalize the material for an engineering product and application,
it is important to understand the mechanical properties of that
material.
 Mechanical properties of a material are those which affect the
mechanical strength and ability of a material to be moulded in
suitable shape.
 Some of the mechanical properties to be evaluated in this project
are –
 Tensile Strength
 Impact Strength
 Hardness
 Wear Resistance
 Erosion Resistance
Methodology
 The purpose for which these composites will be used?
 Suitable reinforcements to be used in composites.
 Composite Al 7075 reinforced with B4C and Aloe vera powder to be
manufactured.
 Impact, Wear, Tensile, Hardness and Erosion testing to be done to check the
corresponding properties.
 Obtained results will be analysed and check for achieved improvement in
mechanical properties.
 Aloe Vera is largely available, easily cultivable, less dense, eco-friendly
material with considerable wettability. It is suitable for reinforcement of AMCs
 Effect of Aloe vera powder and B4C is considered and its effect on
mechanical properties of Al-7075 will be examined.
Work-Plan
August’19
• Deciding the topic.

Sept’19 – Nov’19
• Selecting the Composite Matrix and reinforcing materials.
• Studying various research papers for recent work done in this
field.

Jan’20 – Mar’20
• AA7075 Composite to be reinforced with B4C and Aloe vera
powder in laboratory.
• Obtained material will be tested for targeted mechanical
properties and results will be studied for achieved improved
properties.
Expected Outcomes

 By incorporation of Boron Carbide, wear resistance, hardness,

ultimate tensile strength and compressive strength will be improved.

 Use of Aloe Vera (AV) powder will reduce density and hence
subsequently the weight.

 It is also expected that impact strength will also be improved by

addition of AV powder
References
1. Deepak Singla, and S.R. Mediratta. Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Al 7075-Fly Ash
Composite Material. International Journal of Innovation Research in Science, Engineering
and Technology. 2013; Volume 2, Issue 4.

2. Ch. Hima Gireesh, K.G. Durga Prasad, K. Ramji, P.V. Vinay. Mechanical Characterization
of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced with Aloe vera Powder. Science Direct.
2018; Proceedings 5 (2018) 3289-3297.

3. Alaa Mohammed Razzaq, Dayang Laila Majid, Mohamad R. Ishak and Uday M. Basheer.
Effect of Fly Ash Addition on Physical and Mechanical Properties of AA6063 Alloy
Reinforcement. Metals 2017, 7, 477. Retrieved from http://www.mdpi/journal/metals

4. N. Eswara Prasad R. J. H. Wanhill. Aerospace Materials (Volume 1). Aerospace Materials

and Material Technology (Springer); ISSN 2509-6419, ISBN 978-981-10-2134-3;

5. M. K. Surappa. Aluminium matrix composites: Challenges and Opportunities (Springer).

Indian Academy of Sciences; ISSN 0973-7677;