Special Issue Article Open Access

Fabrication of AA6016/ (Al2O3+AlN) Hybrid Surface Composite Using Friction Stir Processing

Abstract

Friction Stir Processing (FSP) is a new solid state processing technique based on the Principle of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) which is used widespread now days for the fabrication of surface composite in metals due to its superior characteristics. Composites are engineered materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties and which remain separate and distinct on a macroscopic level within the finished structure. The reinforcements impart their special mechanical and physical properties to enhance the matrix properties. Since there is no melting during FSP, problems associated with liquid-solid reactions between reinforcing hard particles and liquid aluminium is eliminated. This makes the FSP a potential process for fabricating Al- MMC’s. Alumina and Aluminium Nitride powders were mixed in different proportions and packed in the groove made in the aluminium plate. High carbon high chromium tool having cylindrical pin with threaded profile was designed and fabricated. The FSP parameters considered were rotational speed, axial load and tool travelling speed. The plates were then processed and the specimens were prepared from FSPed plates according to the metallurgical standards. The metallurgical properties of processed AMMCs were estimated by conducting optical Microscopy. Microhardness of the specimen is tested using Vickers’s Hardness Machine. Thus the effect of varying the composition of reinforcement material on hardness was studied.

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