Improving microstructural properties, mechanical performance, and processability of flux-engineered stir cast boron carbide (B4C)- reinforced AA6061 composites with K₂TiF₆ integration

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dc.contributor.authorBaraha, Obinna Onyebuchi
dc.contributor.authorBori, Ige
dc.contributor.authorOtaru, Abdulrazak Jinadu
dc.contributor.authorKhan, Hayat
dc.date.accessioned2026-01-12T13:49:56Z
dc.date.available2026-01-12T13:49:56Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.abstractFlux-assisted stir casting of AA6061–B₄C is limited by incomplete wetting, oxide films, and porosity. This study optimizes the K₂TiF₆-assisted process, defining a minimal effective flux window (0.5–1.0 wt%) while holding melt (≈750 °C), stirring (≈600 rpm, 10 min), and mold temperature (≈250 °C) constant and varying B₄C (4–12 wt%) in a single, industry-style rig. SEM/EDS/XRD indicate near-uniform dispersion to 10 wt% and mild clustering at 12 wt%. Measurable performance gains. Measured as group means ± SD (n = 3), microhardness (HV₀.₅) increased from 68 → 113 (+62%), and UTS rose from 142 → 215 MPa (+51.4%); porosity rose modestly (~1.5→3.5%). Rule-of-mixtures predictions reproduce the 4–12 wt% trend, supporting a mechanism in which low-dose K₂TiF₆ disrupts oxide films, enhances wetting, and improves load transfer. By quantifying a low-flux regime that limits Ti contamination and salt waste while delivering predictable structure–property outcomes, the work provides process-level guidance for scalable production of lightweight aluminum composites for weight-critical structural applications.
dc.description.sponsorshipDeanship of Scientific Research, Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia [Grant No. KFU254082].
dc.identifier.citationBarah, O. O., Bori, I., Otaru, A. J., & Khan, H. (2025). Improving microstructural properties, mechanical performance, and processability of flux-engineered stir cast boron carbide (B4C)-reinforced AA6061 composites with K₂TiF₆ integration. Journal of Taibah University for Science, 19(1), 2590833.
dc.identifier.otherhttps://doi.org/10.1080/16583655.2025.2590833
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/3058
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherTaylor & Francis Group.
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United Statesen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/
dc.subjectFlux-assisted stir casting
dc.subjectAluminum matrix composites
dc.subjectboron carbide (B₄C) reinforcement
dc.subjectK₂TiF₆ flux agent
dc.subjectcircular economy
dc.titleImproving microstructural properties, mechanical performance, and processability of flux-engineered stir cast boron carbide (B4C)- reinforced AA6061 composites with K₂TiF₆ integration
dc.typeArticle

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