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Research Paper | Material Science | India | Volume 12 Issue 2, February 2023

Influence of Chill Material on Micro Structure and Mechanical Properties of Al6061-B4C Composite

Leela B N | Dr. N D Prasanna | Dr. Balasubramanya H S

Abstract: Aluminium matrix composites are considered to be excellent category of materials satisfying all requirements basically light weight, excellent stiffness and high strength values. They find applications in structure, aerospace and automobile industries. In the present investigation, successful attempts were made to produce aluminium matrix composites using the stir casting method with various chill materials embedded in mold. Chill materials selected were CastIron (CI), Stainless steel (SS) and Copper (CU). The effect of chills on microstructure, mechanical properties has been studied on Al6061 alloy reinforced with B4C additions (reinforcement additions 4 to 10 % in steps of 2%). It is observed from the studies that, structure examination reveals fine grained structure of the composite casting with copper chill and medium to coarse grain structure is observed with the composite made using CI and SS chills. Mechanical properties assessment indicate that tensile strength and hardness values has improved with increased additions of B4C and the composite casting using CI chills. The same increasing trend with hardness value is also observed with casting made using Copper chills. The study indicates that the thermal conductivity of the chill material influences the properties of the aluminium composite. Results are quite encouraging and will be useful for researchers and foundry men world over.

Keywords: Al6061, B4C, Chills, Mechanical properties, stir casting

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 2, February 2023,

Pages: 1011 - 1015