Uniform alloying of aluminium with boron

Abstract

In this research, a novel technology for producing Al–B alloys by treating aluminium ingots with boron processed in a low-frequency arc discharge plasma (66 kHz) is described. Argon was employed as both the plasma-forming and transport gas. Fullerenes were used to reduce the aluminium oxide film that forms on the surface of the ingots. The study presents data on the morphology, microstructure and distribution of boron particles within the aluminium alloy. Results from X-ray fluorescence analysis indicate that the boron content in aluminium is 7.8 (± 2.5) wt%. Boron is uniformly distributed throughout the volume of the aluminium ingot, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy images. It was demonstrated that treating micron-sized boron particles with arc discharge plasma significantly reduces their particle size while maintaining their elemental composition. Microhardness and surface hardness of the produced Al-B ingots were investigated using indentation methods. It was found that an increase in boron content within the sample leads to a decrease in hardness. This study demonstrates that the proposed technology enables the production of Al-B alloy with a uniform distribution of boron throughout the aluminium volume.