Title: Experimental investigation and fuzzy logic modelling of mechanical characteristics in aluminium die cast-14 incorporating functionally graded material with boron carbide

Authors: Ambigai Rajasekaran; Prabhu Sethuramalingam

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai-603203, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai-603203, India

Abstract: This study investigates functionally graded materials (FGMs), where mechanical properties vary deliberately. An FGM was developed using ADC-14 aluminium die-cast with boron carbide (B₄C) as reinforcement via centrifugal casting. Mechanical characteristics, particularly hardness, were assessed via experimental methods and fuzzy logic prediction. Two different sizes of B₄C (50 µm and 100 µm) and volume fraction (8% and 12%) were considered for this study. Microstructure and hardness tests were conducted post-fabrication to evaluate the graded distribution. The results revealed a 22.3% increase in hardness at the outer region, a 16.5% increase in the middle region, and 8.4% increase in the inner region, consistent with the predictions made by fuzzy logic. The optical microstructure also revealed the graded distribution of B₄C. FTIR tests confirmed boron carbide functional groups in the crystal lattice. Thermal analysis revealed higher thermal diffusivity in 50 µm B₄C FGMs due to smaller particle size, compared to100 µm B₄C FGMs. SEM and EDS analyses unveiled B₄C reinforcement's spatial distribution, increasing from inner to outer regions. This research emphasises FGMs' potential for tailored mechanical properties, employing both experimental and fuzzy logic prediction methods, while offering insights into their microstructural and thermal behaviour.

Keywords: ADC-14; functionally graded materials; FGM; boron carbide; thermal analysis; hardness; fuzzy logic analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2025.149442

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2025 Vol.16 No.4, pp.295 - 318

Received: 17 Dec 2023
Accepted: 17 Feb 2024
Published online: 31 Oct 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article