Effect  of  heat  treatment  on  some  mechanical  properties  of  Aluminum–Boron  carbide  composites 

      Aluminum matrix composites reinforced with boron carbide are currently employed in the nuclear industry. It's used as a control rod in nuclear reactors; Since B C has very high absorption cross section for
thermal neutrons. The objective of this work is to study the effect of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of the Al–B 4 C metal matrix composites prepared by powder metallurgy techniques. Compressibility was measured with the Al powder. The chosen compaction pressure was 2500psi. Samples were prepared by adding 5%, 10%wt B 4 C to Al as well as the Al powder. Sinterability was evaluated at different temperatures (400,450,500,550,600,650°C) during 2, 4, 6, 8; 10 hr for soaking time.4 Mechanical test were evaluated, showed little improvement in hardness, compressive strength and young's
modulus   in temperatures 400,450,500,550°C, and significant improvement in hardness and compressive strength in temperatures 600and 650°C, and also improvement to the elastic modulus . Specific samples were irradiated by neutron source, and mechanical tests showed little decrease in their mechanical  properties (hardness and compressive strength) due to low neutron fluence available that gives insignificant effect.