The role of metal matrix composites (MMCs) has gained huge momentum in various researches as well as in industrial applications due to their high stiffness and higher strength to weight ratio. It helps in achieving enormous weight reduction without compromising the strength of the material. In this study, a novel attempt was made to fabricate MMCs with martensitic stainless steel as matrix and titanium diboride (TiB 2 ) as reinforcement. The AISI 420 matrix with different weight percentages (1%, 2%, and 4%) of TiB 2 reinforcement was fabricated by vacuum induction melting technique (VIM). The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of TiB 2 particle addition on the mechanical and tribological properties of AISI 420 composites. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the presence of TiB 2 phase in the composite along with peak shifting and broadening of the steel matrix due to induced strain. Optical microscopy showed the distribution of TiB 2 particles in the matrix along with a significant amount of grain refinement of the composite due to the addition of TiB 2 . Microhardness results showed that the presence of TiB 2 improved the hardness with AISI 420/4%TiB 2 composite possessing the maximum hardness. Tensile test results indicated a significant improvement in the ultimate tensile and yield strength of the composite with the addition of TiB 2 . The wear tests were carried out on a pin on disc tribometer for various loads at a different sliding distance for steady sliding velocity. The dispersion of TiB 2 particle helped in achieving better wear resistance of the composites. Wear surface morphology was carried out to explore the wear mechanisms. Among the various wear mechanisms, abrasion and oxidation phenomena dominated in the composites. Taguchi optimization technique predicted that wt% of TiB 2 and applied load as influencing factors on the wear rate of the material.

Powder Metallurgy (P/M) is a manufacturing process in which powders are compacted in a die to attain the final product. P/M has certain unique advantage like controlled porosity, High Strength to weight ratio. Aluminium (Al) is a light weight material, but pure Al does not possess a good strength. To achieve the strength, Copper (Cu) powders are blended at required proportions. Al along with Cu shows good mechanical properties. An attempt is made to optimize the process parameter of Al – 10% Cu powder to attain maximum process efficiency. Here optimization is done by Taghuchi’s method.

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In the present study, a novel attempt is made to synthesize yttrium boride (YB 4) nano-sized powders through metallothermic reduction method. The starting materials used were yttria (Y 2 O 3) and boron oxide (B 2 O 3) as reactants, and calcium (Ca) as reductant. The reaction was carried out at 950 0 C under argon atmosphere followed by acid washing. The product was subjected to X-ray fluorescence (XRF) which indicated its elemental constituents and purity of the prepared nanopowders. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed the formation of YB 4 and YB 6 phases as well as their respective crystal structures. Thermal analysis was done to calculate the weight loss and phase stability at different temperatures. It showed complete crystallization of the yttrium boride around 800 0 C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images showed the agglomerated particle morphology. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) indicated the presence of Y and B elements. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed the particle size in the order of 40 nm to 60 nm. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern were in consensus with XRD results ensuring the formation of nano-sized yttrium boride. The overall results confirmed that yttrium boride can be synthesized by the low-temperature metallothermic reduction process.

This book presents the abstracts of the papers presented to the Online National Conference on Research and Developments in Material Processing, Modelling and Characterization 2020 (RDMPMC-2020) held on 26th and 27th August 2020 organized by the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Science in Association with the Department of Production and Industrial Engineering, National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India.