In the present work, an indigenously developed low cost modified stir casting technique is developed for the processing of 6061 Al‐B4C composites containing high‐volume fraction of boron carbide particles (up to 20 vol. %). The influence of varying reinforcement content on the spatial distribution of boron carbide in the aluminum matrix is qualitatively characterized using scanning electron microscope. At a lower volume fraction of reinforcement, wide particle free zone and large interparticle spacing were observed in the matrix while the composite with high reinforcement content displayed relatively homogeneous and discrete particle distribution. X‐ray diffraction analysis confirms the presence of only aluminum and boron carbide diffraction peaks, indicating that no significant reaction occurs during composite processing. The tensile behavior of composites revealed that strength and ductility are influenced by varying particulate content. The quantitative analysis of strengthening mechanism in the casted composites showed that higher volume fraction of boron carbide lead to larger values of thermal dislocation strengthening, grain size and strain gradient strengthening. The morphology of fracture surfaces reveals the presence of dimple network and the average size of dimples gradually decreases with the increase in particulate content, which indicates the co‐existence of ductile and brittle fracture.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.