Investigating the effect of passes number on microstructural and mechanical properties of the Al2024/SiC composite produced by friction stir processing

Abstract

In this research, a metal matrix composite (MMC) was fabricated by friction stir processing (FSP) on the surface of 2024 aluminum plate with 50 nm-SiC particles. The effect of the FSP passes number on distribution of the SiC-particles in aluminum matrix, microstructure, micro-hardness, and wear resistance was investigated. Micro-structural evaluations showed the presence of uniform and co-axial grains in microstructure and the desired nano-scale particles distribution within the stir zone (SZ). The agglomerated nano-scale particles were identified in the specimens. Mechanical results showed that the change of type, size, and distribution of the nano-scale particles between the FSP passes decreased the hardness and wear properties with increasing in the number of passes.