| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1690059 | Vacuum | 2014 | 7 Pages |
•The novel Ti-6Al-4V/B4C composite was produced by vacuum plasma spray (VPS).•The mechanical and physical properties of the composite were examined.•The mechanical properties of the as-sprayed Ti-6Al-4V alloy have been increased by making composite with B4C.•Failure mechanism of the composite was studied and observed that it is occurred along reinforcement-matrix interfaces.•Also, erosive mechanism behavior of the composite was investigated.
In the current study, metal-matrix composite of Ti-6Al-4V alloy reinforced by B4C was produced by vacuum plasma spray (VPS) processing. Microstructural analyses were made by optical microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Mechanical properties of the composite were examined using three-point bending test and Vickers microhardness. Room temperature mechanical properties of the as-sprayed Ti-6Al-4V alloy and composite showed an increase in the microhardness and flexural modulus and a decrease in the flexural strength. Failure of the composites occurred along reinforcement-matrix interfaces due to the presence of a high density of microcracks, pores, and weak interfaces between splats. Moreover, erosive mechanism behavior of the composite was studied and it was seen that both plastic deformation of the alloy and brittle fracture of B4C phase had caused erosive wear in the composite.
