Effect of Sintering Temperature on Microstructure and Compressive Strength of B₄C-AlSi Eutectic Alloy

The block neutron absorber of B₄C based on Al-Si eutectic alloy has been prepared by pow-der-metallurgy method.The effects of sinter temperature on microstructure,compressive strength,and ductility of sintered billets have been investigated.It has been shown that the sintering temperature decides sensitively the compressive strength and ductility of sintered billets.Sintered under 550,555,560,and 565 ℃,the billet shows different states,such as subsintered,best-sintered,over-sintered,and molten.Sintered under 550 ℃,the powder have not been metallurgically combined with each other.Beyond 560 ℃,the billets are molten.The 555 ℃ is the best sintering temperature,under which the powder have been partly melted and the metallurgical combination has been occurred,then the billets have a better ductility.