Microstructure-Mechanical Property Correlation in Cooling Slope Cast Al-Si/Mg2Si-xwt.% TiB2 (x = 0, 1, 3 and 5) insitu Hybrid Composites

Abstract

In the current work, microstructure-mechanical property correlation in Al-Si/ Mg2Si-xwt.% TiB2 (x = 0, 1, 3 and 5) insitu hybrid composites fabricated by cooling slope casting has been investigated. The microstructure and mechanical properties of these developed materials have been studied via different characterization techniques. Results indicate that the cooling slope casting and insitu generated TiB2 particles significantly reduce the grain size of α-Al (about 51%) and morphology of Mg2Si phases (46%). The cooling slope casting method promotes the dendrite fragmentation due to shearing action, emerging in developing non-dendritic and globular structures. The TiB2 particles acts as a nucleation site of Mg2Si phase and also help refine the Mg2Si phase. The tensile strength, percentage elongation and hardness of the Al-Si/Mg2Si-TiB2 hybrid composites are increased with an increased wt.% of TiB2 particles and maximum improvement 28% in tensile strength, 55% in percentage elongation and 30% hardness is observed in the case of Al-Si/Mg2Si-5wt.% TiB2 hybrid composite than of Al-Si/Mg2Si composite. The tensile fracture surface of hybrid composite is also correlated with the tensile properties and it has quasi-cleavage fracture. These composites could be promising materials to make the components for automotive and aerospace sectors. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.