Increase in the Physicomechanical Properties of Aluminum Alloys Reinforced with Boron Carbide Particles

To develop a technology for the production of composite Al–Cu–B4C alloys, the structure and properties of aluminum-based alloy with refractory boron carbide particles distributed in the alloy matrix are studied. A comparative assessment of the conformity of the mechanical properties to structural peculiarities of blanks is performed via a parallel microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy. The electron-microscopic data obtained for prepared aluminum alloy samples show a decrease in the overall level of looseness and high wettability of the particle surface with the matrix melt. The best values of the hardness and ultimate strength are reached for blanks with a boron carbide particle content of 5%. When preparing blanks with boron carbide contents of 4–5 wt %, the lowest level of segregation in the aluminum matrix is achieved, which ensures a homogeneous fine-grained structure and enhanced mechanical characteristics of the blanks.