Characterization and thermo-mechanical analysis of centrifugally fabricated aluminium-boron carbide functionally graded composites

This research focuses on developing lightweight functionally gradient composites (FGCs) having graded distribution B₄C in aluminium matrix by employing centrifugal casting technique. Two different sizes of reinforcement, that is, 100 and 50 μm was chosen to analyse its effect on the thermo mechanical properties and its distribution were analysed in this study. Advanced characterization revealed smooth graded distribution of the reinforcement across the thickness of the fabricated FGCs. The density and micro Vickers hardness test showed that they are 1.5% higher at outer periphery ensuring the graded distribution of B₄C. The tensile strength was 31% higher for 50 μm sized reinforcement in the FGC, due to the increased surface area-to-volume ratio of the reinforcement. The thermal properties like thermal conductivity was 46.4% higher, thermal diffusivity was 27.8% higher for 100 μm sized reinforcement than for 50 μm sized reinforcement in the FGC. The above research work provides a new perspective on deploying aluminium based B₄C graded composites for heat exchangers or fins subjected to varying thermal loads.