International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) Volume: 12 Issue: 05 | May 2025
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e-ISSN: 2395-0056 p-ISSN: 2395-0072
Study of Microstructure and Mechanical Behaviour of Aluminium (1050) Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced with Boron Nitride Pranav Y P1, K Vishak2, Sanjay M3, Vishal K M4, Dr. Mahendra Kumar C5 1-4Student, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, B N M Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India
5Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, B N M Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India
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Abstract - This project focuses on the fabrication and
meet these requirements by combining the beneficial properties of metals with the enhanced mechanical characteristics of reinforcements. Among various metals, aluminium has gained substantial attention due to its low density, good corrosion resistance, and ease of fabrication.
analysis of an aluminium metal matrix composite (AMMC) reinforced with varying percentages of boron nitride (BN) particles—specifically 1%, 2%, and 3% by weight. The primary aim is to understand how these different reinforcement levels influence the composite's microstructure and mechanical properties. Aluminium is chosen for its lightweight and corrosion-resistant characteristics, while BN is selected for its excellent thermal stability, lubricating properties, and high hardness.
Aluminium 1050, a commercially pure grade of aluminium, is widely used for its excellent ductility, high thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. However, its relatively low mechanical strength limits its use in loadbearing applications. To overcome this limitation, reinforcing aluminium with ceramic particles such as boron nitride (BN) offers a viable solution. BN is known for its high thermal stability, low density, and excellent lubricating properties, making it a suitable reinforcement to improve both the structural and functional properties of aluminium.
The composites were produced using a stir casting method to ensure uniform distribution of BN particles within the aluminium matrix. Microstructural analysis using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to observe the dispersion of BN particles and any changes in grain structure. Mechanical testing, including hardness (Brinell test) and tensile strength measurements, was carried out to evaluate the material's performance.
This project focuses on the development and evaluation of Aluminium 1050 metal matrix composites reinforced with 1%, 2%, and 3% boron nitride particles using the stir casting process. The objective is to understand how BN content influences the microstructure and mechanical behavior of the composite, with the ultimate goal of optimizing the material for real-world applications where highperformance and reduced weight are critical.
The results showed that as the BN content increased, there was a notable improvement in hardness and tensile strength up to a certain point, with the 2% BN-reinforced composite exhibiting the most balanced mechanical properties. However, at 3% BN, slight agglomeration of particles was observed, which affected the uniformity of the matrix and slightly reduced mechanical efficiency.
2.METHODOLOGY
Overall, this study demonstrates that controlled addition of BN can significantly enhance the performance of aluminium composites, making them suitable for applications in aerospace, automotive, and structural industries where strength, wear resistance, and weight are critical factors.
In this project, we aimed to develop aluminium metal matrix composites using Aluminium 1050 as the base material and boron nitride (BN) powder as the reinforcement. We added BN in different amounts—1%, 2%, and 3% by weight—to see how it affects the material’s strength, hardness, and internal structure. The entire process was carried out in a series of steps: preparing the materials, mixing them usinga method called stir casting, and then testing the finalproducts to study their properties.
Key Words: Aluminium metal matrix composite, boron nitride reinforcement, stir casting, microstructure analysis, mechanical properties, hardness, tensile strength, particle dispersion, composite materials, wear resistance.
We started by selecting Aluminium 1050, which is a very pure form of aluminium. It’s lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easy to work with. However, its natural strength is relatively low, which is why we added boron nitride(BN)— a ceramic material known for being hard, stable at high temperatures, and very smooth, like graphite. The BN powder we used was very fine, with a particle size of less than 50 microns.
1.INTRODUCTION In recent years, the demand for lightweight, high-strength materials has grown significantly, especially in aerospace, automotive, and structural engineering sectors. MetalMatrix Composites (MMCs) have emerged as promising materialsto
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