Mechanical properties and wear behavior of Al–2 wt.% Cu alloy composites reinforced by B4C nanoparticles and fabricated by mechanical milling and hot extrusion

Tensile and wear properties of a nanostructured matrix of Al prepared via mechanical milling and hot extrusion were investigated before and after incorporation of B4C nanoparticles. Nanocomposite samples were prepared using mechanical milling technique associated with incorporating 2 and 4 wt.% of B4C nanoparticles into the matrix of Al. Results showed that increase in B4C content yields a narrow size distribution of fine particles and also smaller size of crystallite after the mechanical alloying process. Tensile, microhardness and wear tests (pin-on-disk) were used to characterize the hot extruded samples. The results revealed a lower wear rate, higher yield strength, tensile strength and hardness for nanostructured Al matrix in contrast to the commercial coarse grained Al matrix. The same trend was also found to be valid for the nanocomposite samples with respect to the base matrix.