Microstructure and corrosion behavior of A390-10 wt% SiC composite-AA2024-T6 aluminum alloy dissimilar joint: Effect of post-weld heat treatment

The weldability of aluminum matrix composites to other materials, such as aluminum alloys, is an essential point in expanding the use of these materials. This study investigated the effect of rotational speed and post-weld heat treatment on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior of A390-10 wt% SiC composite/ AA2024-T6 aluminum alloy dissimilar joint. Friction stir welding is performed using a square frustum pyramid pin tool with a rotational speed of 400-1200 rpm and a traverse speed of 40 mm/min. Results found that a surface groove formed on the weld crown at a rotational speed lower than 800 rpm due to insufficient material flow. Also, the tunnel defect formed on the advancing side at a rotational speed higher than 1000 rpm due to the turbulent flow of material. By increasing rotational speed from 800 to 1200 rpm, the average grain size of the advancing and retreating sides increased by 41.1 and 46.3 %, respectively. Compared to AA2024-T6 and A39010 wt% SiC composite base metals, the average hardness of the stir zone of the joint fabricated by the rotational speed of 800 rpm increased by 8.4 and 38.2 %, respectively. By increasing the rotation speed from 800 to 1000 rpm, the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength decreased by 6.8 and 6.5 %, respectively. By decreasing rotational speed from 1000 to 800 rpm, the elongation and corrosion resistance decreased by 5.4 % and 34.7 %, respectively. After post-weld heat treatment, the hardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and corrosion resistance increase 15.9, 12.7, 7.8, and 28.9 %, respectively.