In Situ Al<sub>3</sub>BC/Al Composite Fabricated via Solid-Solid Reaction: An Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior

Al<sub>3</sub>BC, with its remarkably high modulus of elasticity (326 GPa) and hardness (14 GPa), coupled with a low density (2.83 g/cc), stands out as a promising reinforcement material for Al matrix composite. To study feasibility of solid-solid reaction (SSR) by forming an in situ Al&...

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Main Authors: Tapabrata Maity, Aditya Prakash, Debdas Roy, Konda Gokuldoss Prashanth
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/5189
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author Tapabrata Maity
Aditya Prakash
Debdas Roy
Konda Gokuldoss Prashanth
author_facet Tapabrata Maity
Aditya Prakash
Debdas Roy
Konda Gokuldoss Prashanth
author_sort Tapabrata Maity
collection DOAJ
description Al<sub>3</sub>BC, with its remarkably high modulus of elasticity (326 GPa) and hardness (14 GPa), coupled with a low density (2.83 g/cc), stands out as a promising reinforcement material for Al matrix composite. To study feasibility of solid-solid reaction (SSR) by forming an in situ Al<sub>3</sub>BC reinforcing phase within the matrix, this study developed an Al<sub>3</sub>BC/Al composite via mechanical alloying, followed by sintering at 1000 °C/1 h, and subsequent hot pressing at 400 °C/40 MPa. The reaction kinetics and corresponding electron microscopy images suggest that the aluminum (Al)-boron (B) reacts with graphene nanoplates (GNPs) to form both clusters and a heterogeneous multi-structured Al<sub>3</sub>BC reinforcements network dispersed within the fine-grain (FG) Al matrix. The heterostructure contributes to a good balance between strength (~284 MPa) and ductility (~17%) and stiffness (~212 GPa). Superior strain hardening ability (<i>n</i> = 0.3515) endorses remarkable load-bearing capacity (σ<sub>c</sub> = 1.63) and thereby promotes excellent strength-ductility synergy in the composite. The fracture morphology reveals that reasonable ductility primarily relies on the crack deflection by the FG-Al matrix, playing a critical role in delaying fracture. The potential importance of the matrix microstructure in the overall fracture resistance of the composite has been highlighted.
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spelling doaj-art-8a8d72c9ac824445b47d22111d6b013e2025-08-20T02:58:43ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-01159518910.3390/app15095189In Situ Al<sub>3</sub>BC/Al Composite Fabricated via Solid-Solid Reaction: An Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical BehaviorTapabrata Maity0Aditya Prakash1Debdas Roy2Konda Gokuldoss Prashanth3Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, National Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (Previously NIFFT), Ranchi 834003, IndiaR & D Division, Tata Steel Ltd., Jamshedpur 831001, IndiaDepartment of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, National Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (Previously NIFFT), Ranchi 834003, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, EstoniaAl<sub>3</sub>BC, with its remarkably high modulus of elasticity (326 GPa) and hardness (14 GPa), coupled with a low density (2.83 g/cc), stands out as a promising reinforcement material for Al matrix composite. To study feasibility of solid-solid reaction (SSR) by forming an in situ Al<sub>3</sub>BC reinforcing phase within the matrix, this study developed an Al<sub>3</sub>BC/Al composite via mechanical alloying, followed by sintering at 1000 °C/1 h, and subsequent hot pressing at 400 °C/40 MPa. The reaction kinetics and corresponding electron microscopy images suggest that the aluminum (Al)-boron (B) reacts with graphene nanoplates (GNPs) to form both clusters and a heterogeneous multi-structured Al<sub>3</sub>BC reinforcements network dispersed within the fine-grain (FG) Al matrix. The heterostructure contributes to a good balance between strength (~284 MPa) and ductility (~17%) and stiffness (~212 GPa). Superior strain hardening ability (<i>n</i> = 0.3515) endorses remarkable load-bearing capacity (σ<sub>c</sub> = 1.63) and thereby promotes excellent strength-ductility synergy in the composite. The fracture morphology reveals that reasonable ductility primarily relies on the crack deflection by the FG-Al matrix, playing a critical role in delaying fracture. The potential importance of the matrix microstructure in the overall fracture resistance of the composite has been highlighted.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/5189aluminum matrix compositesheterostructuresmechanical propertiesdeformation behavior
spellingShingle Tapabrata Maity
Aditya Prakash
Debdas Roy
Konda Gokuldoss Prashanth
In Situ Al<sub>3</sub>BC/Al Composite Fabricated via Solid-Solid Reaction: An Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior
Applied Sciences
aluminum matrix composites
heterostructures
mechanical properties
deformation behavior
title In Situ Al<sub>3</sub>BC/Al Composite Fabricated via Solid-Solid Reaction: An Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior
title_full In Situ Al<sub>3</sub>BC/Al Composite Fabricated via Solid-Solid Reaction: An Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior
title_fullStr In Situ Al<sub>3</sub>BC/Al Composite Fabricated via Solid-Solid Reaction: An Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior
title_full_unstemmed In Situ Al<sub>3</sub>BC/Al Composite Fabricated via Solid-Solid Reaction: An Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior
title_short In Situ Al<sub>3</sub>BC/Al Composite Fabricated via Solid-Solid Reaction: An Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior
title_sort in situ al sub 3 sub bc al composite fabricated via solid solid reaction an investigation on microstructure and mechanical behavior
topic aluminum matrix composites
heterostructures
mechanical properties
deformation behavior
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/5189
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AT debdasroy insitualsub3subbcalcompositefabricatedviasolidsolidreactionaninvestigationonmicrostructureandmechanicalbehavior
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