# Enhanced Mechanical Properties of AA6082 Matrix Composites Reinforced with B4C and TiO2: A Powder Metallurgy Approach

## TL;DR

This paper explores how adding B4C and TiO2 to AA6082 metal using powder metallurgy affects the material's mechanical properties and structure.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel powder metallurgy approach to fabricate AA6082 composites with B4C and TiO2 for enhanced mechanical performance.

## Key findings

- AA6082 showed the highest relative density at 99.68% without reinforcement.
- Adding B4C and TiO2 reduced the relative density and transverse rupture strength due to uneven reinforcement distribution.
- Optimizing reinforcement distribution is crucial for improving mechanical properties in these composites.

## Abstract

This study investigates the production of B4C, TiO2, and B4C + TiO2 reinforced
functional-grade
composite materials (FGCM) and functional-grade hybrid composite materials
(FGHCM) with an AA6082 matrix by using the powder metallurgy method
at weight percentages ranging from 0 to 50%. The refractive indexes
(XRD) and microstructure of the used powders were analyzed. The mechanical
properties, including transverse rupture strength (TRS), and microstructural
characteristics, were examined through scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Among the produced
samples, AA6082 exhibited the highest relative density at 99.68%.
The addition of reinforcement materials into the AA6082 matrix led
to a decrease in the relative density of the composites. The TRS of
the functionally graded materials decreased due to the nonhomogeneous
distribution of reinforcement phases and the resulting notch effect.
The results indicate that the reinforcement distribution should be
further optimized to improve the mechanical properties, such as the
transverse rupture strength of the ceramic reinforcement AA6082 composite.
These findings suggest that ceramic-reinforced AA6082 composites hold
potential for advanced engineering applications, although improvements
in phase distribution uniformity are necessary for optimized performance.