• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1002-1011
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• 2006

In this study, we describe the conventional hot pressing (CHP) of layered $Al-B_4C$ composites and their characterization. The matrix alloy Al-5 wt.%Cu was prepared from elemental powder mixtures. The metal and B4C powders were mixed to produce either $Al-Cu-10vol.%B_4C$ or $Al-Cu-30vol.%B_4C$ combinations. Then, these powder mixtures were stacked as layers in the hot pressing die to form a two-layered composite. Hot pressing was carried out under nitrogen atmosphere to produce $30\times40\times5mm$ specimens. Microstructural features and age hardening characteristics of composites were determined by specimens cut longitudinally. The flexural strength of both layered composites and their monolithic counterparts were investigated via three point bending tests. In the case of layered specimens of both $10vol.%B_4C$ and $30vol.%B_4C$ containing layers were loaded for three-point test. The results show that a homogeneous distribution of $B_4C$ particles in the matrix alloy which is free of pores, can be obtained by CHP method. The ageing behavior of the composites was found to be influenced by the reinforced materials, i.e. higher hardness values were reached in 8 hrs for the composites than that for the matrix alloy. Flexural strength test showed that two-layered composites exhibited improved damage tolerance depending on layer arrangement. Microstructural investigation of the fracture surfaces of the bending specimens was performed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM). While layer with lower reinforcement content exhibited large plastic deformation under loading, the other with higher reinforcement content exhibited less plastic deformation.