Effects of forging on the mechanical properties of B4Cp/Al composite with flaked Al and Al2O3 particles

To flake the pure aluminum powder, ball grinding and forging are used. The mechanical properties of the forged B4Cp/Al composite are tested. The results show that ball milling can flake the pure aluminum powder. The alumina layer of Al2O3 on the surface of aluminum powder are broken during the ball milling and can be dispersed in the matrix as reinforcement. The hardness of the forged aluminum with flaked Al is higher of 19.5% than that without flaked. The forging can increase ultimate tensile strength of the B4Cp/Al composite. Increasing B4C volume fraction, the average hardness of the forged B4C/Al composite with flaked Al powder gradually increases, relative density gradually decreases, ultimate tensile strength first increases and then decreases.