archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158

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Original Research Article

Effect of nano/micro B4C particles on the mechanical

properties of aluminium metal matrix composites
fabricated by ultrasonic cavitation-assisted
solidification process

R. Harichandran a,*, N. Selvakumar b,1

a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Engineering College, K.R. Nagar, Kovilpatti 628 503, Tamilnadu, India
b
Centre for Nano Science and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College,
Sivakasi 626 005, Tamilnadu, India

article info abstract

Article history: Lightweight aluminium metal matrix nanocomposites play a major role in automobile,
Received 17 March 2015 aerospace and other industries. This work aimed to investigate the effect of the addition of
Accepted 23 July 2015 micro- and nano-boron carbide particles to aluminium on the mechanical properties of the
Available online 29 August 2015 composites. The micro- and nanocomposites containing different weight % of B4C particles
were fabricated using stir- and ultrasonic cavitation-assisted casting processes. The fabri-
Keywords: cated micro and nano B4C particle-reinforced composites were characterized using scanning
Al–B4C (micro and nano) composites electron microscopy (SEM) and an X-ray diffractometer. Tensile, hardness, impact and wear
Ultrasonic cavitation tests were carried out in order to evaluate the mechanical properties of the micro- and
Mechanical and wear properties nanocomposites. The tensile test results showed that the properties of the samples contain-
ing up to 6% nano B4C-reinforced composites were better than the micro B4C-reinforced
composites. The study also indicated that the ductility and impact energy of the nanocom-
posites were better than the micro B4C particle-reinforced composites. The wear resistance
of the nanocomposite significantly increased when the B4C content was increased up to 8%
of addition, and this increase was more pronounced than that resulting from micro B4C
particle-reinforced composites.
# 2015 Politechnika Wrocławska. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

strength, corrosion resistance, stiffness and thermal conduc-

1. Introduction
Aluminium-based metal matrix composites (AMCs) have been
widely used in automotive and aircraft applications due to
their low density and concurrent high wear resistance,
tivity [1,2]. AMCs are fabricated by incorporating micro-sized
ceramic particles, such as SiC, Al2O3 and B4C, into the
aluminium matrix. Boron carbide is a superior ceramic
reinforcement material for AMCs than SiC and Al2O3 due to
its high hardness, low density, high strength, high wear and

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 9944087728.

E-mail addresses: harichandra@nec.edu.in (R. Harichandran), nselva@mepcoeng.ac.in (N. Selvakumar).
1
Tel.: +91 4562 235641.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acme.2015.07.001
1644-9665/# 2015 Politechnika Wrocławska. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.
148 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158
impact resistance, high melting point, low coefficient of
thermal expansion and good chemical stability [3].
Shoroworthi et al. [4] investigated the tribological behav-
iour of Al–B4C and Al–SiC composites fabricated using the stir-
casting method for the same process parameters. They
reported that the wear rate and coefficient of friction of Al–
B4C were lower than Al–SiC composites. Recent studies have
used micro-sized B4C particles to improve the mechanical
properties of AMCs. However, the poor ductility and reduced
fracture toughness have limited the application of micro-sized
ceramic particle-reinforced AMCs with higher concentrations
of ceramic particle [5–7]. The use of nano-sized B4C particles to
improve the mechanical properties of the AMCs is attractive
because this approach could maintain good ductility and
improve fracture toughness.
Many techniques are currently available to fabricate the
metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs), such as mechanical
alloying [8,9], high-energy ball milling [10], spray deposition,
powder metallurgy, nano-sintering and various casting tech-
niques [11]. The powder metallurgy processing method cannot
be used for bulk production of large and complex structural
MMNCs components. The fabrication of MMNCs by powder
metallurgy route is time-consuming, expensive and energy
intensive. The liquid phase processing method can produce
AMC parts with a uniform reinforcement distribution and
complex shape, and this method offers better matrix-particle
bonding and an easier control of the matrix structure. It is
economical for bulk production. Uniform distribution and
dispersion of nano-sized B4C particles in molten aluminium
is extremely difficult due to their large surface-to-volume ratio
and poor wettability using a conventional mechanical stir
casting method. The conventional mechanical stir casting
method can be used to disperse micro-sized B4C particles in
molten aluminium without agglomeration and clustering.
Several researchers have proposed the ultrasonic cavitation
technique to distribute and disperse ceramic nano-
sized particles in an aluminium melt which enhances their
wettability, the degassing of liquid metals and the dispersive
effects for homogenizing [12,13]. The liquid phase processing of
MMNCs using high-intensity ultrasonic waves could be useful to
disperse B4C nanoparticles in molten aluminium because this
process features transient cavitation and acoustic streaming.
Acoustic cavitation is the formation and collapse of thousands
of micro-bubbles in molten aluminium liquids under cyclic high
intensity ultrasonic waves. The collapsing of micro-bubbles in
molten aluminium produces transient micro-hot spots that can
have pressures of approximately 1000 atm, temperatures above
5000 8C and heating and cooling rates exceeding 1010 K/s.
Transient cavitation could result in strong impact coupling
with the local high temperatures. It is sufficient to break up the
clustered nanoparticles, disperse nanoparticles, refine grains,
remove gas and homogenize the material.
Recent studies have attempted to fabricate B4C nanoparti-
cle-reinforced aluminium matrix composites [14,15]. Moham-
mad Sharifi et al. [14] investigated the mechanical and
tribological properties of B4C nanoparticle-reinforced alumin-
ium metal matrix composites produced by mechanical
alloying and hot pressing. They observed the improvement
in the compressive strength and wear resistance of
the composites by adding nano B4C ceramic particles as
reinforcement in the aluminium matrix. In another study,
Akhlaghi and Khakbiz [8] only synthesized and characterized
Al–B4C nanocomposite powders. Alizadeh [10] investigated the
effect of boron carbide nanoparticles on the mechanical and
tribological behaviour of Al2024 composites fabricated by
mechanical milling and hot extrusion. They concluded that
increasing B4C nanoparticles content in aluminium matrix
leads to improvement in tensile strength and wear resistance
of the composites. Abdollahi et al. [15], in their study on the
sliding wear behaviour and mechanical properties of Al2024/
B4C composites, stated that mechanical properties and wear
resistance of B4C nanoparticles reinforced composites was
higher than that of the unreinforced matrix alloy.
In the present work, ultrasonic cavitation-based solidifica-
tion processing was utilized to fabricate B4C nanoparticle-
reinforced aluminium matrix composites by varying the
concentration of B4C. Micro-sized B4C particle-reinforced
AMCs were produced by stir casting. Moreover, the mechanical
and wear properties of AMCs reinforced with B4C nanoparti-
cles and microparticles were compared.
2. Material and methods
Pure aluminium was selected as a primary matrix material
because it can be readily casted and has been widely used. B4C
was used as a secondary reinforcement particle to fabricate
the samples. The pure aluminium was purchased from
M/s. BMC Enterprises, Bangalore, India. The size of the B4C
particles was measured by SEM (SU1510) as 70 mm.
B4C nanoparticles were synthesized by milling the received
B4C powders in a high energy planetary ball mill (Fritsch,
Model Pulverisette 6). A vial was charged with the received B4C
powders (made up of WC and 250 ml in volume) with 100 balls
(made up of WC and diameter 10 mm). The ball to powder ratio
and rotational speed were 32:1 and 300 rpm, respectively. The
ball milling operation was performed at room temperature
under an argon gas atmosphere for 30 h.
Toluene was used as the milling medium to avoid internal
friction between the ball and powders. To avoid overheating of
the vial, the ball milling experiments were periodically paused
for every half an hour. The B4C powder samples were
examined after 30 h of ball milling for morphological and
structural studies. The size of B4C particles was measured by
SEM and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). To avoid the
agglomeration of particles, a very small quantity of nano-
sized B4C particle was mixed with 50 ml of acetone, and this
mixture was placed in the ultrasonic sonicator for 10 min. The
mixture was then characterized using SEM and AFM (XE70
park system). The final mean size of the B4C particles was
80 nm. The synthesized B4C was characterized using a Philips
X-ray diffraction spectrometer (XRD) to verify the purity and
crystalline phases of the particles.
3. Experimental setup
The metal matrix composite was prepared with a liquid
metallurgical process using ultrasonic cavitation-assisted stir
casting. Fig. 1 shows the experimental setup for the ultrasonic
 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158
Fig. 1 – Experimental setup for fabricating Al–B4C
nanocomposites.
cavitation-based fabrication of nano-sized B4C-reinforced metal
matrix nanocomposites. This setup consisted of an electric
resistance heating furnace, ultrasonic probe and transducer,
ultrasonic generator and inert gas protection system. A specially
designed EN8 steel crucible with a capacity of 1.5 kg was used for
melting and ultrasonic processing. An ultrasonic probe made of
titanium was used to generate a frequency of 20 kHz with 2 kW
power. The titanium probe was 20 mm in diameter and 200 mm
long. The required amount of aluminium was melted in crucible
at 750 8C in an electric resistance furnace for the ultrasonic
processing of molten aluminium.
The nano-sized B4C particles were added to the molten
aluminium from the top of the crucible at proportions of 2, 4, 6,
8 and 10% by weight. The mechanical stirrer was used for
10 min to achieve a primary distribution of nanoparticles in
the molten aluminium. After mechanical stirring, the ultra-
sonic probe was dipped into the molten aluminium to a depth
Fig. 2 – SEM micrographs of B4C particles: (a) as received and (b) after 30 h of ball milling.
149
of approximately 30 mm. The molten aluminium was pro-
cessed with ultrasound for approximately 0.5 h to break up the
clustered nanoparticles. After the ultrasonic processing,
the crucible was quickly removed from the furnace, and the
molten metal was poured into the die set mould. The mould
was made up of mild steel, which was preheated to 500 8C
before being filled with the molten aluminium. AMCs contain-
ing micro-sized B4C particles at proportions of 2, 4, 6, 8, and
10% were also fabricated by mechanical stirring in order to
compare them with the nanocomposites.
The hardness of the composites was evaluated using a
Vickers micro-hardness tester. The applied load and dwell
times for the hardness measurement were 1 kg and 5 s,
respectively. Each specimen was indented at an average of five
times to determine the hardness. Tensile tests were carried
out on a universal testing machine according to the ASTM
standard E8. The tensile properties reported in this paper are
the average of three tensile tests. The Charpy impact tests
were performed on an impact testing machine according to the
ASTM standard E23. The dry sliding wear and friction tests
were conducted on a pin-on-disc wear testing machine
according to ASTM standard G99-05. The disc material used
was EN31 hardened steel with a hardness value of 60 HRC and
ground to a 1.6 Ra surface roughness. Cylindrical pins of
12 mm in diameter and 30 mm long were used as an abrasive
wear test specimen. Each specimen was polished and cleaned
thoroughly with acetone and subsequently dried. The weight
of the specimens was recorded before and after the test using
an electronic balance with an accuracy of 0.001 mg. The wear
tests were conducted at room temperature at a sliding speed of
500 rpm under normal loads of 4, 8, 12 and 16 N. The sliding
distance and track diameter were maintained constant at
1000 m and 100 mm, respectively, for all of the wear tests.
Three tests were carried out for each set of parameters, and
their average values were considered as the wear loss.
4. Results and discussion
4.1. Characterization of composites
Fabricating MMNCs containing B4C particles by casting is
usually difficult because of the poor wettability of B4C particles
and agglomeration of nanoparticles, which results in non-
uniform dispersions and weak mechanical properties. In the
150 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158

Fig. 3 – AFM image of B4C particles after 30 h of ball milling.

Fig. 5 – X-ray diffraction pattern for (a) 4% and (b) 10% by

weight of micro B4C reinforced AMCs.

Fig. 4 – XRD patterns of 30 h ball milled boron carbide

particles.

present work, aluminium matrix composites containing

micro- and nano-sized B4C particles were produced with stir
Fig. 6 – X-ray diffraction pattern for (a) 4% and (b) 10% by
casting and ultrasonic cavitation-assisted casting methods,
weight of nano B4C reinforced MMNCs.
respectively.
The SEM micrographs of the received and 30 h ball-milled
B4C particles are shown in Fig. 2. The SEM micrographs of the
received B4C revealed that the particle had a wide size
distribution and irregular shape. The SEM image of the

Fig. 7 – SEM images of (a) 4% and (b) 10% by weight of micro B4C reinforced AMCs.
 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158 151

Fig. 8 – SEM images of (a) 4% and (b) 10% by weight nano B4C reinforced MMNCs.

nano-sized B4C particles confirmed that the average particle reinforced aluminium matrix composite containing 10% by
size was 80 nm. The three-dimensional AFM image of the B4C weight of nano B4C reveals the presence of agglomerated
after 30 h of ball milling is shown in Fig. 3. The AFM image nanoparticles and microporosities due to the low wettability,
confirms that the B4C particles are smaller than 100 nm. gas entrapment and higher content of reinforcement. It is
Furthermore, Fig. 4 shows the peaks in the XRD pattern of the extremely difficult to obtain uniform dispersion of nano-sized
B4C nanoparticles. The peaks at 2u values of 28.835, 31.789,
35.549, and 37.604 correspond to B4C (JCPDS 71-1107, 33-0225)
with miller indices of (2 1 1), (1 1 0), (3 0 1) and (0 2 1),
respectively. Fig. 5 shows the XRD patterns of the samples
containing 4 and 10% by weight of micro B4C particle-
reinforced aluminium metal matrix composites. The peaks
corresponding to the aluminium matrix are clearly evident.
The intensities of the diffraction peaks corresponding to micro
B4C particles are low, which can be attributed to the low weight
% of the micro B4C phases in the aluminium matrix
composites. XRD images of the aluminium metal matrix
composites reinforced with 4 and 10% by weight of nano B4C
particles are also obtained to identify the presence of any other
phases after synthesis (Ball mill) and the fabrication of
MMNCs. The results indicate that these materials contain
pure B4C and are free of impurities. Fig. 6 presents the XRD
patterns of the aluminium metal matrix composites rein-
forced with 4 and 10% by weight of nano B4C particles. These
results indicate the presence of aluminium (in the largest
peaks) and boron carbide (in the minor peaks) in MMNCs. The
increase in the intensity of the B4C peaks with the increasing
boron carbide content of the composite is evident. The peaks
corresponding to the Al diffraction files (PDF No: 04-0787) and
B4C (PDF No: 75-0424) are identified with data from the Joint
Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards (JCPDS). These
XRD investigations clearly show the absence of any interme-
tallic and secondary phases in the MMNCs.
Fig. 7 shows the microstructures of the composites
containing 4 and 10% by weight of micron B4C/Al created
using normal stir casting conditions. The micron B4C is
distributed throughout the aluminium matrix like islands,
and the primary aluminium matrix is indicated by the patches
of rough matrix. Microporosities are present in the inter-grain
region due to the higher content of reinforcement and pore
nucleation at the aluminium matrix–B4C interfaces [16].
Furthermore, Fig. 8 shows the SEM images of MMNCs
containing 4 and 10% by weight of B4C nanoparticles. The B4C Fig. 9 – (a) The tensile stress–strain curves of the Al–B4C (mm)
nanoparticles are distributed throughout the Al composites composites. (b) The tensile stress–strain curves of the Al–
containing 4% by weight of B4C. The SEM micrograph of the B4C (nm) composites.
152 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158

Fig. 10 – (a) SEM micrograph showing the interface Al–4 wt.% B4C (nm) composites; (b) X-ray map showing the distribution of
Al and B4C at the Al–B4C interface.

Fig. 11 – EDX spectra showing the elements present at the

interface of Al–4 wt.% B4C (nm) composites.

Fig. 13 – Comparative hardness bar chart for micro B4C–Al

B4C particles in molten aluminium when the B4C particles and nano B4C–Al composites.
content is more than 6% by weight due to large surface-to-
volume ratio and poor wettability. These problems induce
agglomeration, microporosities and clustering in the MMNCs.

Fig. 12 – Variation of elongation of the Al–B4C (mm) and Al– Fig. 14 – Variation of impact energy of the Al–B4C (mm) and
B4C (nm) composites. Al–B4C (nm) composites.
 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158 153

4.2. Tensile test
Fig. 9a and b shows the stress and strain curves of AMCs
reinforced with 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% micro- and nano-sized B4C
particles. The ultimate tensile strength of the composite
increases as the content of micro-sized B4C particles
increases up to 8 wt.% and then decreases thereafter. The
improvement in the tensile strength of AMCs containing
micro-sized B4C is mainly due to the load bearing effect and
mismatch of the strengthening mechanism. The difference
between the coefficient of thermal expansion of B4C
(5  10 6/8C) and the aluminium matrix (25  10 6/8C) results
in a high dislocation density and thermally induced residual
stresses. These induced dislocations and thermal stresses
act as a barrier to the dislocation movement [17]. Hence, the
strength of the AMCs containing micro-sized B4C increases.
The decrease in the ultimate tensile strength of 10 wt.% B4C-
reinforced AMCs is mainly due to the aggregation of
particles and the presence of microporosities at higher
particle concentrations [18]. The increase in the ultimate
tensile strength upon the addition of B4C nanoparticles is
mainly due to Hall–Petch strengthening mechanism, which
results from grain size refinement, the load bearing effect,
and the Orowan and mismatch strengthening mechanisms
[19]. Fig. 10 shows the SEM micrograph of Al–B4C interface
with X-ray mapping. This clearly indicates the better
bonding between B4C nanoparticles and aluminium matrix.
The B4C nanoparticles seemed to adhere well to the
aluminium matrix without interaction layer. Hence, the
tensile strength of the MMNCs containing nano-sized B4C
increases. The EDX spectrum reveals the presence of the
elements Al, B and C in the Al–B4C interface (Fig. 11).

Fig. 15 – (a) Variation of wear rate as a function of normal load for the Al–B4C (mm) composites. (b) Variation of wear rate as a
function of normal load for the Al–B4C (nm) composites.
154 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158

Nano B4C particles are more effective than micro B4C
particles in improving the ultimate tensile strength of the
AMCs because they act as obstacles that restrict the motion of
dislocations in the matrix. However, the tensile strength of the
composites decreased as the weight percentage of B4C
nanoparticles was increased beyond 6%. These results are
attributed to the fact that higher contents of B4C nanoparticles
in the MMNCs promote the agglomeration of nanoparticles
[20]. Fig. 12 shows that the elongation of the AMCs and MMNCs
inversely correlates with the contents of micro and nano B4C
particles. As the concentration of micro and nano B4C particles
content increases, the stress concentration also increases.
Thus, the elongation of the AMCs and MMNCs inversely
correlated with the contents of both micro and nano B4C
particles [21]. However, the nano B4C particle-reinforced
MMNCs in this investigation are more ductile than the micro
B4C-reinforced AMCs. This improved ductility of the MMNCs is
mainly due to the good interface between the B4C nanopar-
ticles and aluminium matrix.
4.3. Hardness test
The hardness is a physical property of a material that indicates
the ability of the material to resist local plastic deformation.
Fig. 13 shows the influence of the micro and nano B4C particle
contents on the hardness of the AMCs and MMNCs. The
hardness values are positively correlated with the weight
percentage of micro and nano B4C particles, because the

Fig. 16 – (a) Variation of coefficient of friction of the Al–B4C (mm) composites. (b) Variation of coefficient of friction of the Al–B4C
(nm) composites.
 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158
particles strengthened the material [22]. Furthermore, the
results show that nanoparticle-reinforced MMNCs are harder
than the microparticle-reinforced AMCs due to Hall–Petch and
Orowan strengthening mechanisms as well as the good
interface between the nanoparticles and the matrix [23]. The
hardness of the sample containing 10% by weight of B4C
particles decreases due to the presence of microporosities and
increased agglomeration of the particles.
4.4. Impact test
Fig. 14 shows the effect of the micro and nano B4C particle
contents on the impact energy of AMCs and MMNCs. The
micron and nano B4C particle contents are inversely correlated
with the impact energy of the composite material. The brittle
nature of the B4C particles plays a significant role in decreasing
the impact energy of the composites. The results of the impact
test reveal that the impact energy of the B4C nanoparticle-
reinforced MMNCs is higher than that of B4C microparticle-
reinforced AMCs. Furthermore, the impact energy depends on
the ultimate tensile strength and ductility of the composites.
Hence, the impact energy of the MMNCs is higher than the
AMCs [24].
4.5. Wear test
The incorporation of hard particles into aluminium is thought
to significantly improve the wear resistance of the base
aluminium [25]. Specifically, the literatures [26,27] state that
B4C reinforcement significantly improves the sliding wear
resistance of aluminium. Fig. 15a and b shows the wear rate as
a function of the load for aluminium reinforced with micro and
Fig. 17 – SEM micrograph of the worn surface of (a) and (b) 4% B4C (mm) under 12 and 16 N. (c) and (d) Al–10% B4C (mm) under 12
and 16 N.
155
nano B4C particles. The wear rate is positively correlated with
the load for AMCs and MMNCs containing up to 8% by weight
of micro and nano B4C. The wear rate of the B4C nanoparticle-
reinforced MMNCs is lower than the micro B4C particle-
reinforced AMCs at contents less than 8% by weight. The
improvement in the wear resistance behaviour of the MMNCs
compared with AMCs is mainly due to grain refinement.
Moreover, the wear rate of the unreinforced aluminium is
higher than the composites for all load conditions. The wear
rate decreases with the incorporation of B4C particles.
However, the wear rate of the 10 wt.% micro and nano B4C-
reinforced AMCs and MMNCs has increased. The wear rate is
inversely correlated with the material hardness. The decrease
in the hardness value is mainly due to the high porosity and
heterogeneous distribution of the secondary particles in the
aluminium matrix. Hence, the wear rate of the AMCs and
MMNCs reinforced with 10% by weight of micro and nano B4C
particles increases.
The effect of the wt.% of micro and nano B4C on the friction
coefficient of the AMCs and MMNCs is shown in Fig. 16a and b.
The friction coefficient is negatively correlated with the weight
% of micro and nano B4C in the aluminium matrix composites
up to 8%. The friction coefficient is lower for MMNCs than
AMCs because nano B4C particles easily slid between the
mating metal surfaces.
Figs. 17 and 18 show the SEM micrographs of AMCs and
MMNCs reinforced with 4 and 10% by weight of the micro and
nano B4C after being worn under loads of 12 and 16 N. The
worn surface was characterized by narrow wear grooves, a
heavy flow of materials and micro-pits. The SEM micrograph of
the darker layer shows the formation of narrow wear grooves.
The dark layer formation is positively correlated with the B4C
156 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158

Fig. 18 – SEM micrograph of the worn surface of (a) and (b) 4% B4C (nm) under 12 and 16 N. (c) and (d) Al–10% B4C (nm) under
12 and 16 N.

particle content. The presence of Fe and oxygen in the dark

layer implies the transfer of Fe from the disc to the worn
surface. The materials were transferred and mechanically
mixed between the sliding metal surfaces, and a mechanically
mixed layer (MML) was formed in the darker areas. SEM
micrograph of the worn surface of Al–4% B4C nanocomposites
shows formation of narrow wear grooves with dark layer
(Fig. 19a). The EDX spectrum analysis confirmed that the dark
area on the worn surface of the Al–4% B4C nanocomposites
besides aluminium element contained a considerable amount
of oxygen and iron (Fig. 19b). Some researchers have also
reported the formation of a mechanically mixed layer in the
darker areas of AMCs [14,28]. The MML acts as a thin solid
lubricant film between the counterpart disc and pin surface,
which reduces the wear rate. The formation of MML on the
surface of the AMCs and MMNCs during sliding wear reduces
the coefficient of frictional values.

5. Conclusions

The micro and nano B4C particle-reinforced aluminium

composites were fabricated using stir- and ultrasonic
cavitation-assisted stir casting, and the effect of different
weight % of micro and nano B4C particles on the mechanical
and wear properties of the composite was investigated. The
following inferences are made from this analysis.

 The scanning electron microscopy and X-ray studies of the

fabricated composite confirmed the homogeneous distribu-
Fig. 19 – SEM micrograph of the worn surface of (a) Al–4% tion of boron carbide particles in the aluminium matrix and
B4C (nm) under 16 N. (b) EDX analysis. the presence of B4C.
 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 16 (2016) 147–158
 The nanocomposites were stronger and more ductile than
the aluminium composites reinforced with micro-sized B4C
particles. The stress and strain curve shows that increasing
the amount of B4C particles increased the ultimate tensile
strength and decreased the ductility. The nanocomposite is
more ductile than the micro B4C-reinforced composite.
 Increasing the wt.% of B4C nanoparticles beyond 6% leads to
the decrease of the strength and ductility of the MMNCs due
to the particle agglomeration and porosity.
 The impact energy of the B4C nanoparticle-reinforced
aluminium composites was higher than that of the micro
B4C particle-reinforced aluminium composites.
 The hardness of composites is positively correlated with the
weight % of micro- and nano-boron carbide particles up to
8 wt.% of B4C. However, the hardness value of 10 wt.% micro
and nano B4C-reinforced composites decreased due to the
porosity content at higher particle concentrations.
 The nanocomposites were more wear resistant than
the microcomposites up to 8 wt.% of B4C. The increase in
the wear resistance of the nanocomposite improved the
hardness and strengthening mechanism. The wear behav-
iour reveals that the wear rate and coefficient of friction are
directly correlated with the load but inversely correlated
with the boron carbide particle content. The SEM analysis
revealed that the formation of a mechanically mixed layer is
a key factor in controlling the wear behaviour of the micro-
and nanocomposites.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to the Department of Production
Technology, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University,
Chennai, India for providing the ultrasonic cavitation-assisted
casting facilities. One of the authors, Mr. R. Harichandran,
acknowledges the Centre for Nano Science and Technology,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mepco Schlenk
Engineering College, Sivakasi, Tamilnadu, India for providing
the research laboratory facilities.
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