LAUSR

Abstract In this study, we adopt laser-melting deposition (LMD) technology to fabricate TiB2/7075 aluminum matrix composites (AMCs), and we investigate in detail the effect of the TiB2 content on the microstructure, nano-hardness, compressive properties, and wear performance. We prepare experimental samples by using a laser power of 800 W and a velocity of 0.01 m/s, and the results are evaluated. It was observed that the reinforcement particles dispersed irregularly throughout the Al matrix as the TiB2 contents increased. The grain size of the fine-grain zone decreased appreciably by 31.9% from 8.41 µm (LMD sample without TiB2 reinforcement) to 5.73 µm. Furthermore, the AMCs with 4 wt% reinforcement exhibited impressive mechanical properties, i.e., nanohardness of 1.939 Gpa, compressive strength of 734.8 MPa, and a wear rate of 1.889 × 10−4 mm3/Nm. The wear resistance improved and the wear mechanism changed from adhesive wear to debris wear with the addition of TiB2 reinforcement.