Characterization of TiB2 reinforced aluminum matrix composite synthesized by in situ stir casting method

Abstract

In this study, TiB₂ reinforced Al-matrix composite was fabricated by in situ stir casting route, and the effect of processing parameters was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to study the composition and microstructure of the samples. Finally, to investigate the tribological and electrochemical behavior of the samples, wear tests (pin-on-disk) and potentiodynamic polarization tests (PDP) were used, respectively. Results showed that by increasing stirring time, both tribological and mechanical behavior of the samples improved. Also, it was found that by increasing the stirring speed of the melt to 180 rpm, the mechanical and tribological behavior of the samples improved, and by further increasing the stirring speed to 300 rpm, they were decreased. Consequently, samples containing lower than 7 wt. % TiB₂ showed better metallurgical properties, due to lack of agglomeration.