ISSN (Print) : 0974-6846

Indian Journal of Science and Technology, Vol 9(43), DOI: 10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i43/100410, November 2016 ISSN (Online) : 0974-5645

Analysis of Microstructural, Corrosion and

Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Titanium
Diboride Particles (Al-TiB2) Reinforced
Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)
M . M. Siva1*, R. Rajesh1, S. Pugazhendhi2, M. Sivapragash3 and R. R. Neelarajan4
1
Mechanical Engineering Department, Noorul Islam University, Kumaracoil - 629180, Tamil Nadu, India;
mmsivasan@[Link], rajesh1576@[Link]
2
Manufacturing Engineering Department, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar - 608002, Tamil Nadu,
India; pugazhs12@[Link]
3
MG College of Engineering, Thiruvanathapuram - 695027, Kerala, India; mspragash15@[Link]
4
Aeronautical Engineering Department, Noorul Islam University, Kumaracoil - 629180, Tamil Nadu,
India; neelarajan2012@[Link]

Abstract
Objectives: Our aim of this project is to use aluminum titanium diboride metal matrix composites in aeronautical and marine
field by reducing its weight and improve the hardness and corrosion behavior. For this aluminum titanium diboride compound
are made by stir casting method. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Aluminum 2011 material is fabricated by stir casting method
with added titanium diboride on various weight percentage compositions. The hardness and corrosion are developed with
the raise in weight percentage of titanium diboride particles. The properties of reinforced metal matrix composites iron,
copper, zinc, lead, silicon, bismuth and aluminim are the chemical composition of Al2011. The analysis of microstructure,
corrosion and mechanical properties of aluminum titanium diboride metal matrix composites with specific attention on the
before after as cast and extrusion behavior of the composites. Findings: Tensile test for the alloy and composite samples are
done using Instron UTM. The tensile stress of the composites improves significantly with the TiB2 content. Micrograph of
the heat treated composite samples taken at different locations from outer surface of the casting. Hardness tests are done
using the Vickers hardness testing machine. The firmness characters of the precipitation conducted specimens are more than
that of the as-cast samples. Meanwhile after the secondary process as per the observation the tensile stress of the extruded
composites reveal 135M Pa improvement of 5% opposing the as cast samples. After raising the metal matrix composites
to 10% was plastically deranged shows the value 171M Pa. The SEM of the extruded samples shows enlarged grains of
aluminum solid solution with inter-metallic particles at the grain boundaries to restrict the deformation. This result improves
the extrusion process well in grain enlightening and uniform particle distribution compared to as cast condition of samples.
Compare to as cast samples the plastic deformation process gives the extruded samples with higher strength 47 to 60 BHN.
Application/Improvements: Now a day’s Al-2011 is the top most non-ferrous metal used in sector multiple industrial
applications like aerospace, marine, automotive, rail, building, packaging, energy distribution, sports and leisure, mechanical
industries and engineering, etc. The nature of Al-2011 with TiB2 are lightness, corrosion resistance, suitability for surface
treatments, the diversity of the alloys and intermediates, ease of use, recycling, electrical and thermal conductivity, etc

Keywords: As Cast, Composition of TiB2, Extrusion, Hardness, Immersion, Microstructure, Stir Casting Method

1. Introduction The composite materials to be a light weight material

compared the other materials. The cost of improving
Now a days the composite materials form a good chemical the composite in the manufacturing technology alone is
composition of the engineered materials in the market. not sufficient for engineering. The Al2011 metal matrix

* Author for correspondence

 Analysis of Microstructural, Corrosion and Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Titanium Diboride Particles (Al-TiB2) Reinforced
Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)

composites is lighter than other metals like iron, copper, temperature. The melt was then poured into the stir caster
zinc, lead, silicon and bismuth. furnace which had been preheated to 570°C to 595°C for
Two chemical and physical distinct phases of MMCs Al 2011 weight % TiB2. The different percentage of casting
and other composites. It provides the properties which composition for TiB2 and Al-2011 MMCs is given in Table 2.
is not obtainable by the individual phases. The company
Table 2. Various casting composition for
sides’ Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMCs) plays
important material such as aeronautical, automobiles Al2011 MMCs
and marine field. The properties of MMCs are high [Link] TiB2 for wt% AL2011 for wt%
strength and increased corrosion resistance by the 1 2.82 kg for 5% 613.5 gm for 5%
various percentage of TiB2. Aluminum 2011 and titanium 2 5.64 kg for 10% 1227 gm for 10%
diboride materials are used for the fabrication. The
preparation of metal matrix composites fabricated is by Up to 600–700 rpm the stirrer is rotated. The stirring
stir casting process. of the melt is poured into the preheated die ten minutes
Stir compound does not produce bad composition later. The required casts are acquired after solidification2,
in the metal matrix reinforcement. Stir fabricated Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of stir casting
composites which is low in cost by easy for fabrication. process investigation the various composites of aluminum
The salts like potassium hexafluro titanate (K2TiF6) and and titanium diboride brace of many research groups to
potassium tetrafluro borate (KBF4) mixed with aluminum fabricated uses this technique.
2011 prepared by stir casting method are the properties
used to improve MMCs1.
Hence, a detailed review being fabrication about
aluminum composites built-up the microstructure,
hardness, elongation, stress and corrosion measured.

2. The Procedure for Experiment

2.1 The Chemical Composition of Material
The 2011-aluminum is mostly used a cast alloy for different
field. It has good castability, corrosion and pressure
tightness and machining and welding characteristics. The
chemical and mechanical properties of Al2011 MMCs are
given in Table 1.

Table 1. The chemical composition of Al2011

Alloy Cu Si Pb Fe Zn Bi Others AL Figure 1. Stir casting furnace.
% % % % % % % %
AL2011 5.5 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.1 0.4 0.15 Remaining The cut off temperature was fixed at 9000C. The melt
temperature was maintained at ≈8700C. The current
2.2 Stir Casting rating was maintained at 20 Amps and voltage at 110 V.
The stir cast assembles with pre-heater, electric-powered After mixing of salts was started, the melt temperature
furnace and stirrer etc. The three stage electrical resistance was maintained between 865-8700C. Within 15 minutes
variety is 10 KWs capacity in which furnace is used. The all the salts were completely dropped into the melt and
furnace as well as pre-heater temperature is 1000˚C and for an additional 15 minutes the stirring was continued.
900˚C. The melting point of the Al-2011 is 700˚C-800˚C. After 30 minutes of stirring in total the melt which was
After the caster set-up, metal melted in an induction at ≈8650C was poured into permanent molds. One of
furnace was moved to a resistance holding furnace where the ingot casting weighted 1.03 kg and then other ingot
it was stabilized at a temperature 20°C above the liquids casting weighted 2.13 kg. The TiB2 is added 5% and 10%

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 M . M. Siva, R. Rajesh, S. Pugazhendhi, M. Sivapragash and R. R. Neelarajan

by weight with base or raw material Al2011 grade. In this

process the number of heating elements used is 6 in series.

3. Result and Discussion

3.1 Microstructural Characteristics of
Al2011 Particle Reinforced MMCs
produced by Various Combinations
The electronic console and the electron column are the
two main components which are used to make SEM
instrument. The filament current, accelerating voltage,
focus, magnification, brightness and contrast are adjusted by
the control knobs and switches. The instrument rather than
control knobs and switched found on older style scanning Figure 3. 5% As cast after heat treatment.
electron microscopes are controlled by the GUI or software.
CRTs located on the electronic console are viewed usually by
the image produced by the SEM. The computer monitor is
used to see the image instead with FEI. The images captured
are saved in digital format and printed directly3.
The cast specimen is polished and etched as per the
standard metallographic procedure. When the as cast
after and before heat treated aluminum with titanium
diboride samples analyzed by scanning electron microscope
was shown in Figures with average size of less than 50
microns. The Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 shows that the fabricated
microstructures are Al2011 metal matrix reinforced with
different wt% of TiB2 composites. The cast microstructure of
Al2011 metal matrix composites is presented in Figures 2, 3,
4 and 5. The super cooling of composite during solidification
Figure 4. 10% As cast before heat treatment.
reveals the formation of aluminum network structure.
Mostly the microstructure of TiB2 is shown in Figure 2,
which consists of mainly Al and primary titanium diboride
surrounded uniformly by sharp edges titanium needles.

Figure 5. 10% As cast after heat treatment.

Microstructure of the composites presented in Figure
Figure 2. 5% As cast before heat treatment.
2. The distributions of TiB2 in the Al2011 metal matrix

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 Analysis of Microstructural, Corrosion and Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Titanium Diboride Particles (Al-TiB2) Reinforced
Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)

composites are uniformly exposed. And there is no

appearance of porosity and cracks in the castings. The
distributions of reinforcements in the respective matrix
are uniformly observed in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9. The
extrusion samples in comparison to the as cast samples
are found to be finer than the size of particles in Figure
6. Base metals average grain size is 67.4 lm and the grain
size of FS1 sample is 9.6 1m and FS2 samples is 12 lm. The
dynamic recrystallization during FSP is decrease in grain
size. The increase in temperature of FS2 compared to FS1
compared to small increase in grain size. The SEM images
shown in Figures 7 and 9 are for before and after extrusion
process samples. The solidified grains were up takes from
the unmelted region are seen in extrusion samples.
The particle matrix interface and confirmation by Figure 7. 7. 5% extrusion after heat treatment.
analysis are the observation of splitting up of Cu, Si,
Bi, Fe and Zn. The presence of the aluminum and salts
containing 5% and 10% wt. The size of the pro-eutectic
Al2011 became fine due to increase in the percentage of
TiB2. The distribution of aluminum matrix composites
uniformly exhibits the cast composite 5, 10wt. % TiB2
particles of zooming size 10–50 µm also. Alumina particles
reinforced composite are find by the microstructures of
Al with TiB2 -5 and 10 wt. % fabricated by stir casting
method4.
Observation from the optical micrograph of
composites eutectic silicon morphology changes after
the heat treatment samples is shown in Figures 7 and 9.
In the case of aluminum–5, 10% TiB2 composites load of
clay particles was found. After the extrusion process the Figure 8. 10% extrusion before heat treatment.
structure of Al/TiB2 nets are fine grained.

Figure 9. 10% extrusion after heat treatment.

Figure 6. 5% extrusion before heat treatment.

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 M . M. Siva, R. Rajesh, S. Pugazhendhi, M. Sivapragash and R. R. Neelarajan

3.2 Corrosion Behavior

Corrosion test is done by static immersion test and the
values are shown in Table 3. The samples 10 × 10 mm size
are made by this method. Before testing the specimen, it
is polished by the paper of silicon carbide 500 and 1000
grit size. In next step the specimen is polished again
with the diamond glue of 1.5 to 3 micron to get outside
reflector. The specimens are rinsed in water and acetone
before starting the test and exactly weighed. Uniform
dispersion of Al2011-TiB2 reinforcements to study by
optical microscope is used. All percentage specimens Figure 10. Test samples in HCL solution.
were carrying by the corrosion procedure as per ASTM.
Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) solution is used as a corrodant.
All types of specimens were conducted the exposure time
in 72 hours. The corrodant is used to keep the hamper
accommodate the consistent samples under a roof of
beaker Figure 10.
Adhered scales are removed with smooth brush by
clean the samples were kept in acetone for few seconds at
the end of the experiment. By dehydrating the samples,
they were weighed to determine the amount of weight
wasted is shown in Figure 11. After the corrosion test the
Figure 11. Corrosion test samples.
corroded surfaces of the samples were considered down
the SEM5.
3.3 Mechanical Properties of Al2011 MMCs
In before and after process, corrosion resistance
increases redistribution of secondary process particles. are produced by Various Combinations
Surface heat treatment is used in redistribution A square based diamond pyramid indenter has a ground
of extrusion process and improves the corrosion forms a standard 136 degrees between opposite faces are
resistance. used.

Table 3. The table for immersion test

Process AL2011+ % BH = Before Heat Sample Before After Weight Loss
of TiB2 treatment AH = After code weight Wb Weight Wa W = Wb-Wa
Heat treatment (grams) (grams) (grams)
Cast 5% BH A 0.709 0.586 0.123
AH B 0.819 0.697 0.122
10% BH C 0.812 0.632 0.180
AH D 0.804 0.702 0.102
Extruded 5% BH E 0.814 0.687 0.127
AH F 0.823 0.726 0.097
10% BH G 0.730 0.560 0.170
AH H 0.704 0.570 0.134

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 Analysis of Microstructural, Corrosion and Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Titanium Diboride Particles (Al-TiB2) Reinforced
Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)

The micro force ranges for ASTM standard (20 g to 1 change in the microstructure and melting in the samples
kg) is E383. because of decrease percentage in firmness is top in
Vickers tests has two versions namely Macro Vickers specimens (5%) related to the specimens (10%)9.
(load over 1 kg) and Micro Vickers (load less than 1 kg). The low absorption in solid phase which attributes
The shape of pyramidal diamond indenter that forms the hardness values to be decreased. The finer grain size
a square indent is in Vickers micro ranges. decrease the hardness value in FSP samples easily dissolved
Vickers hardness test method steps are: in the composites. The volume fraction of reinforcement
• Diagonals of the indentation produced are increases due to the increase in strength of the composite.
approximately seven times larger than the depth of Following section elaborates tensile properties of Al2011-
indentation6. TiB2 particles reinforced composite. The dispersions of the
• The Vickers test is especially suitable for hardness particles improve the mechanical properties. UT increase
measurements in thin layers and very hard alloys. 43%, 11% and 10% with the addition of TiB2 particles10,11.
• Vickers hardness number is nearly independent of The percentage elongation, yield and tensile strength of
the test loads of the impression remains constant composite is decreased and increased as per the additions
under different test loads above 5 kg. At lower loads it of 5%, 10% TiB2. When 4% of elongation in the as-cast
may be load dependent. condition which is exhibited by TiB2 25 wt in percentage.
The tensile strength for Al2011-5% TiB2 and Al2011-10%
3.4 H
 V = Constant x test force/indent TiB2 succeed at 750◦C and 900◦C. The Al-2011 with TiB2
squared diagonal combinations growth the hardness, tensile strength and
The hardness test result for various combinations like corrosion resistance. It was observed that the hardness
before and after corrosion of metal matrix composites of this Al-2011 was better than the larger fraction of TiB2
and reinforcement materials in weight percentage Table 4 particulates will be in corporate in the matrix causing
and Table 5. The hardness property of Al2011 is increased large value of hardness and tensile strength. The 5%,
by addition of TiB2. The hardness of the composite is 10% before and after heat treatment as cast, extruded
augmented from 117 HV to 189 HV7,8. sample values such as yield stress, ultimate tensile stress
A decline in hardness is expected as the markdown and elongation are shown in the Table 6. Similarly in the
of the secondary process particles occurred in both the extruded sample excellent values for yield stress, ultimate
process. The hardness values of the as cast, extrusion tensile stress and elongation are tabulated12,13.
before and after heat treatment samples are different as The Al-2011 with TiB2 mechanical properties such
per percentage of TiB2. The outer layers of conducted as proof stress, tensile, shear, elongation and hardness
specimens decreased in firmness are observed. There is a Vickers values shown in the Table 7.

Table 4. The table for hardness Vickers test (before corrosion)

Process AL2011+ BH = Before Heat Sample Value of Micro Value of Value of Average Micro
% of TiB2 treatment AH = After code Hardness (1) Micro Micro Hardness Value
Heat treatment Hardness(2) Hardness(3) (HV)
Cast 5% BH A 65.92 75.7 _ 70.81
AH B 89.43 85.9 90.68 88.67
10% BH C 90.89 85.59 85.65 87.37
AH D 83.31 82.75 _ 83.03
Extruded 5% BH E 80.89 82.32 _ 81.605
AH F 81.18 74.79 76.98 77.65
10% BH G 92.07 80.53 81.57 84.72
AH H 92.32 85.17 93.01 90.16

6 Vol 9 (43) | November 2016 | [Link] Indian Journal of Science and Technology
 M . M. Siva, R. Rajesh, S. Pugazhendhi, M. Sivapragash and R. R. Neelarajan

Table 5. The table for hardness Vickers test (after corrosion)

Process AL2011+ BH = Before Heat Sample Value of Micro Value of Value of Average Micro
% of TiB2 treatment AH = After code Hardness (1) Micro Micro Hardness Value
Heat treatment Hardness(2) Hardness(3) (HV)
Cast 5% BH A 117 120 117 118
AH B 141 160 154 151
10% BH C 152 147 163 154
AH D 173 162 151 162
Extruded 5% BH E 134 122 137 131
AH F 184 149 189 174
10% BH G 172 169 175 172
AH H 188 160 183 177

Table 6. The table for Al2011 mechanical properties

Process AL2011+ % BH = Before Heat treatment Yield Stress Ultimate Tensile Elongation
of TiB2 AH = After Heat treatment (MPa)
stress (MPa) (%)
Cast 5% BH 55.46 0.182 15.77
AH 58.66 0.193 15.20
10% BH 67.46 0.206 10.80
AH 69.33 0.193 9.20
Extruded 5% BH 36.78 0.209 9.25
AH 38.89 0.182 7.67
10% BH 28.33 0.209 9.24
AH 38.30 0.232 8.05

Table 7. The mechanical properties for Al2011

Alloy Proof Stress Tensile Strength Shear Strength Elongation Hardness Vickers
(MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (%) (HV)
AL2011 290 395 235 15 115

4. Conclusions layer of the object. The percentage of TiB2 addition

with Al2011 will increase due to the strength of base
Al2011–TiB2 composites with various weight percentages material14.
of metal matrix composites and its effect such as, SEM • By adding 5 and 10 % of TiB2 the micro hardness
analysis, corrosion and hardness were calculated by values of the MMCs was raised from 117 HV to 189
modified stir cast route. HV.
• The volume fraction of Al2011-TiB2 are viewed by • The aim of this project is to improve the hardness
using the Metallurgical Image Analysis System. The of the Al2011 alloy moderates the strength by
volume of TiB2 is increased by increasing the wt. % reinforcement with TiB2 and the results justify the
of TiB2. objective. The current project ordinary Al to Al2011
• It is found from the corrosion level decreases from 17 grade property which reduces manufacturing cost.
mpy to 7 mpy for a period of 72 hours due to presence
of aluminum titanium diboride composites. 5. References
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 Analysis of Microstructural, Corrosion and Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Titanium Diboride Particles (Al-TiB2) Reinforced
Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)

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