Effect of multiple passes on microstructural and mechanical properties of surface composite al 2024/sic produced by friction stir processing

Abstract

The application range in defense, aerospace and automotive sectors have enabled aluminium metal matrix composites to emerge in different technological fields due to enhanced micro structural and mechanical characteristics. In the present study, friction stir processing is used to fabricate Al2024/SiC composite with one, two and three passes of the cylindrical tool. Optical microscopy and scanning electronic microscope (SEM) were used to validate the processed sample and to justify the morphological aspects. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis has also performed to confirm the presence of SiC particles in the composite. It also includes the analysis of mechanical properties such as tensile strength, Rockwell hardness test and nanoindentation to characterize the prepared samples. Improvement in tensile strength with a maximum of 443 MPa, the hardness of 121 HRB and nanoindentation of the specimen was depicted through the mechanical tests.