Effect of Silicon Carbide and Titanium Diboride on the Mechanical Properties of Al6061 Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) have emerged as one of the most promising classes of advanced engineering materials due to their superior mechanical, thermal, and tribological characteristics when compared with conventional monolithic metals. Among various metal matrices, Aluminium 6061 (Al6061) has gained significant attention because of its excellent balance of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, weldability, and relatively low density. These features make Al6061 a potential candidate for lightweight structural applications. However, its monolithic version lacks the required properties in structural applications involving high wear resistance, stiffness, and thermal stability. In such scenarios, the incorporation of reinforcement through ceramics has become one of the most evaluated approaches in materials engineering. TiB₂ and SiC are among the most efficient reinforcements used to develop advanced performance-based aluminum hybrid composites. TiB₂ has very high hardness and a high melting point, along with excellent thermal stability, which significantly improves the wear resistance and dimensional stability of the composites at elevated temperatures.