The influence of B₄C and BN nanoparticles on Al 7010 hybrid metal matrix nanocomposites

In the present study, boron carbide (B₄C) and boron nitride (BN) nanoparticles combined in equal proportions and reinforced into aluminium 7010 alloy with 0–2.5 wt.% nanoparticles in intervals of 0.5 wt.% were prepared using the ultrasonically assisted stir-casting technique. Microstructural characterisation of the composites was carried out by using a scanning electron microscope and an X-ray diffractometer. The tensile strength was determined using an Instron testing machine. The tensile strength of the nanocomposites increased with the increase in the weight percentage of nanoparticles up to 2 wt.% and thereafter decreased. It was observed that the percentage of elongation decreased with the increase in reinforcement up to 2 wt.% and thereafter increased. The density of the hybrid metal matrix nanocomposites decreased with the increase in boron carbide and boron nitride nanoparticles. The porosity increased with the increase in the weight percentage of boron carbide and boron nitride nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction results indicated that aluminium, boron carbide and boron nitride were the principal elements of the composites and the components were free of intermetallics.