ALUMINUM

Author: GÓMEZ RODRÍGUEZ LEONIR JOSÉ.
Year: 2005.
University: POLITÉCNICA DE VALENCIA [www.upv.es].
Place of defense: UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE VALENCIA.
Place of preparation: UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE VALENCIA.

Summary: The composite materials of aluminum matrix belong to the wide range of materials with applications every day are more demanding, which in turn are also thoroughly investigated. The combination of the properties of each component represents an advantage over individual materials produced by the most known and used. On the one hand, these stocks applicability and the need to find more suitable properties, have focused on the search for new materials and on the other, new development techniques. The selection of these materials has its starting point in that it works as a host of reinforcement (matrix), represented in this case by the aluminum alloy AA6061, whose known properties of high strength and ductility specific him a significant level of acceptance in multiple applications. On the other hand, elements enhancers are characterized by excellent properties of tenacity and thermal stability at high temperatures mainly due to its low coefficient of thermal expansion. These elements are represented here selected by particles of boron carbide (B4C) and boron nitride (BN). This seeks among other things, to establish the effect of different materials that nature occur on the properties of the final product, when they are embedded in the matrix. For this study have been used as standard material, silicon carbide (SiC), widely known by its properties and applications such as reinforcing materials in engineering. In any case, using these low volumetric fractions reinforcements (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10%), when compared with those usually used industry-wide. In view of this, it is necessary to the development of these materials in the laboratory from the mixture using a planetary mill, as powders are provided, followed by compaction uniaxial cold for them. Using production methods known, but which are generally used in the manufacture of other materials, such as extrusion and printing, composite materials are produced source of study in this investigation. The features resilient and tough, and the wear resistance of the materials developed for these routes are related to the presence of reinforcement in the matrix, which conducted trials of traction, and hardness testing tribológicos. To complement this study, microscopic examinations and calorimétricos help to understand the phenomenology of these materials, to observe the distribution of particles in the matrix reinforcement, interaction matrix / reinforcement and its effect on the formation of precipitate phases in each material when subjected to heat treatment, as well as the influence of these properties at the end of the material. Finally, since these properties were carried out by the comparison between the two processes of production employees, speaking on the need to conduct further research in this field in order to optimize these processes, in principle due to the large number of variables involved, for possible adaptation to industrial level.