Mechanical behavior of graphite-reinforced aluminum alloy composite via friction stir processing

Abstract

Graphite-reinforced 5083 aluminum matrix composites were successfully fabricated via friction stir processing. The graphite-reinforced aluminum alloy sheet sintered at 550°C in a vacuum atmosphere was applied as a reinforcement. Grain refinement and many minute aluminum carbides (Al4C3) were observed in the composites fabricated. The tensile strength of the composites fabricated with the 550°C sintered sheets considerably increased by 64 percent, and the sliding wear characteristics of the composites were appreciably improved compared with that of the base material.