ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Influence of B₄C and TiO₂ reinforcements on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of aluminium hybrid nanocomposites

N. Senthil Kumar, M. Kalaimani, S. Shanmugam, and M. Yuvaperiyasamy

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ganesh College of Engineering, Salem, India

E-mail: kalaimani.mech@prathusha.edu.in

Received: 22 February 2026  Accepted: 12 April 2026

Abstract:

This research investigates the development of aluminium-based hybrid nanocomposites reinforced with microscale boron carbide (B₄C) and nanoscale titanium dioxide (TiO₂) to enhance mechanical strength and thermal performance simultaneously. A controlled micro–nano hybrid reinforcement approach, combined with tubular furnace sintering, was employed to promote uniform particle dispersion, improve interfacial bonding, and enhance densification. Composites containing a constant 5 wt% B₄C and varying TiO₂ contents of 3, 6, and 9 wt% were systematically fabricated and evaluated. Microstructural analysis confirmed homogeneous reinforcement distribution, significant grain refinement, and strong matrix–particle interfaces without deleterious phase formation. The optimized composition Al–5%B₄C–9%TiO₂ exhibited superior performance, with microhardness increasing to 112 HV, representing more than a threefold improvement; tensile strength increasing to 178 MPa, a 30% increase; and compressive strength increasing to 394 MPa, a 54% increase compared to pure aluminium. These improvements are attributed to combined strengthening mechanisms, including load transfer, Orowan strengthening, and increased dislocation density. Thermal characterization revealed stable heat transport behaviour, with a thermal diffusivity of 60 mm²/s and a thermal conductivity of 2.06 W/m·K at 300 °C, influenced by interfacial phonon scattering and the reinforcement distribution. The results demonstrate that optimized hybrid reinforcement and processing strategies effectively deliver a balanced combination of mechanical performance and thermal transport, making these composites suitable for advanced structural and thermal management applications in aerospace and automotive sectors.

Keywords: Aluminum hybrid composites; Boron carbide (B4C); Innovation; Titanium dioxide (TiO2); Thermal conductivity

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04910-6

Chemical Papers 80 (8) 8757–8768 (2026)