Comparison of properties and microstructure of A356 -B4C nano composites, produced by two methods of casting vortex and semi-solid casting

In the present study, A1-B4C nanocomposite was produced using the methods of casting vortex and semi-solid casting. Boron carbide particles with an average diameter of 65 nm with the amount of 3 wt%, was added to the melted alloy of A356. In the method of Casting Vortex, boron carbide particles were added to the melted aluminum at 850 C° in 15 min and then casting was performed. In the semi-solid Casting method, temperature first rose to 700 C° when particles were mixing and then temperature was reduced to 608 C° within 15 min and then casting was done. Results show that tensile strength of the segments produced by semi-solid Casting method is 201 MPa which shows a 12% increase in strength compared to the segments produced by Casting Vortex with tensile strength of 178 MPA.