Development and experimental evaluation of titanium diboride particulate reinforcements on the Al6061 alloy composites properties.

In recent times, industries are focusing to develop newer materials with superior properties compared to the materials available at present. In this regard, the present investigation is aimed at the fabrication and evaluation of the physical, mechanical and tribological properties of Al6061 alloy reinforced with Titanium Diboride particulates. The Al6061-titanium diboride composites were fabricated via liquid metallurgy route. The amount of reinforcement addition in the Al6061 was varied from 0 to 6 wt% in the steps of 2. The physical, mechanical & tribological experiments were conducted on the Al6061 alloy and its titanium diboride composites as per ASTM Standards. As per the obtained results, it can be understood that with the increase in weight percentage of titanium diboride reinforcement, the properties like density, hardness and strength increased with the decreasing elongation. The wear experiments were carried out on pin-on-disc tribometer and results indicate that the fabricated Al6061-TiB₂ composites showed higher wear resistance. Out-off all the compositions considered in the current work, the Al6061-6 wt% TiB₂ composite material displayed improved properties. The optical, scanning electron, and energy dispersive microscopy images were used to study the composites before and after the casting, fractured and worn-out surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]