SHOCK-COMPACTED ALUMINUM BORON-CARBIDE COMPOSITES

The aim of this study was to verify that explosive consolidation can be used as a processing route to produce metal-matrix composites, comprising an aluminum-based matrix and boron-carbide reinforcement. Composites containing 30, 50 and 70 volume percent boron carbide in an MB 85 aluminum-alloy matrix were successfully compacted at 10-12 GPa pressure. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the resulting microstructure and interface quality. It is predicted that the high density of dislocations produced during the compaction will lead to accelerated aging in age-hardenable aluminum alloy matrices.