Effect on size and pattern of distribution of TiB2 particles formed during solidification of the Al- TiB2 MMC

Abstract In this study, aluminium (A356) alloy is melt in a graphite crucible and two halide salts (ie), potassium hexa fluro titanate and potassium tetra fluro borate are dropped at a slow rate and mixed with aluminium melt, with the help of a hand held graphite stirrer. The reaction between the salts is exothermic (in-situ) in nature and the temperature of the melt discharges up very fast and that is why the salts are dropped very slowly. TiB2 particles are blended due to the reaction and they grow in size with elongated holding time and at the melt temperature. The distribution of TiB2 particles and the size vary from location to location in the casting and the reasons are analyzed.