Abstract: TiB₂/6061 composites with 3% TiB₂ was prepared by means of fluoride salt method. The effects of solution temperature and solution time on hardness and wear resistance of the composites were studied. The experimental results show that TiB₂ particles are dispersed in the 6061 Al alloy matrix, and the 6061 Al alloy matrix grains are significantly refined. As the solution temperature is constant, the hardness and wear resistance of the composites increase obviously with the increase of the solution time. However, as the solution time is 6-10 h, the properties of the composites do not change significantly. As the solution time is constant, the hardness and wear resistance of composites increase first and then decrease with the increase of solution temperature. Compared with as cast 3wt% TiB₂/6061 composite, the in-situ synthesized 3wt% TiB₂/6061 composite has the best hardness and wear resistance after solution treatment at 530 ℃ for 10 h, and the hardness of the composite is increased by 79.5% and the wear loss is decreased by 59.1%. After solution treatment, the plough grooves on the worn surface of the composites become finer and shallower, and the material shedding phenomenon decreases.

Key words: TiB₂/6061 composites, in-situ synthesized, TiB₂ particles, solution, hardness, wear resistance