Abstract
Production conditions and mechanical properties of aluminium based composites reinforced with aluminium dodecaboride (AIB12) and magnesium diboride (MgB2) with 0% to 50vol% and 30vol%, respectively, were investigated. These composites were produced by hot-pressing at temperatures of 863K and 923K and under a pressure of 60MPa in vacuum. The added boride particle dispersed fairly well in the alumunium matrix. The addition of AIB12 and MgB2 improved both of the bending strength and hardness of the composites. The bending strength of the Al-AIB12 composites reached a maxmum value of 460MPa at 8.6vol%AI12. The increase in strength was presumably attributed to a particle dispersion strengthening mechanism in the composites. Other mechanical properties of the composites, such as high temperature hardness and wear resistance, were also improved, by the addition of the borides.
