Investigation of Mechanical Properties of B4C / SiC Additive Aluminum Based Composites and Modeling of Their Ballistic Performances

Abstract

In this study, 7075 grade aluminum-based composites reinforced with SiC (silicon carbide) and B4C (boron carbide) were produced with powder metallurgy at 40%, 20% and 10% reinforcement ratios. The mechanical properties of the composite samples produced in the first stage experiments were investigated. For this purpose, density, hardness, cross fracture and abrasive wear tests were performed. The results of the experiments were evaluated together with the microstructure and the microscope images of the composite samples. In the second stage of the study, the composite samples were modeled and their ballistic performance was examined by the finite element method. In ballistic analysis, 10% reinforced composites could not perform, while ballistic performance was obtained in increasing reinforcement ratios. When the production, hardness, wear and ballistic analyzes of the samples were evaluated together, it was seen that the reinforcement rate of 40% was high in such composites and not suitable for mechanical properties, 20% of the reinforcement ratio was both productibility and ballistic optimum result.