Effect of compaction pressure on mechanical properties of AA7075/B4C/graphite hybrid composite fabricated by powder metallurgy techniques

Composite materials are at top in material selection process due to its superior mechanical and tribological properties, properties of a composite can be modified by reinforcing different hard ceramic particles in a matrix material depend upon the requirement needed. Strength of the composite can be improved by creating good interface bond between matrix and reinforcements which can be achieved by selecting proper processing parameters i.e., compaction pressure, sintering temperature, sintering time. Present work focuses on fabrication of AA7075/B4C/Graphite hybrid composite by varying the compaction pressures while cold compaction process. In AA7075 matrix material 6 wt% Boron carbide (B4C) and 2 wt% graphite was added to optimize the ductility and brittleness of the composite material. Mechanical response of the hybrid composite was noted in compression and hardness tests, results reveal that increased compaction pressure has very positive impact on mechanical properties of the composite material, micro structural analysis reveals effect of increased compaction pressure clearly. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.