Effect of sintering parameters on the microstructure and micromechanical properties of in-situ synthesized boride phases (Fe2B-FeB) in iron matrix composites reinforced with B4C particles

Hamamci M., CERİT A. A., NAİR F.

MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION, cilt.191, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 191
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.matchar.2022.112075
  • Dergi Adı: MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Iron-based composites (Fe/B4C), Diffusion zone, In-situ powder metallurgy (IPM), Sintering parameter, Iron boride phases
  • Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

In this study, the influence of sintering parameters on the microstructure and micromechanical properties of ceramic reinforced iron matrix composites is investigated. Composites containing 5-10-20-30 vol% B4C were fabricated by in-situ powder metallurgy (IPM) and sintered at various temperatures and durations. Hot pressed powder mixtures were sintered at constant duration (60 min at 1000-1150-1300 degrees C) and constant temperature (1150 degrees C for 30-120 min) in a protective environment. The influence of these parameters is evaluated by investigating microstructural changes using SEM, XRD, EDX, and optical microscopy, density and porosity by Archimedes method, and finally, micromechanical properties by hardness determination. Results showed that while increasing reinforcement ratios of B4C particles caused reduced density in the green compacts, B4C particles under a certain size (< 7 mu m) were randomly distributed in the mixture and lead to the formation of iron borides. Additionally, increased hardness was witnessed for all temperatures with increasing reinforcement ratios until 20 vol% B4C, after which hardness was decreased. In fact, 20 vol% B4C showed excellent properties and was comparatively much sensitive to both, increasing sintering temperatures and duration. In-situ synthesized iron borides became the decisive factor in the increased hardness of the composites.