Role of process parameters in defining the characteristics of copper surface composites fabricated via friction stir processing

This research deals with investigating the effects of amount of hybrid reinforcement, rotational speed and traverse speed on the mechanical and wear characteristics of copper surface composites fabricated via friction stir processing. Aluminum oxide and boron carbide at 1:1 ratio was dispersed onto copper substrate at various volume fractions (5, 10 and 15 vol. %) at different traverse speed (40, 60 and 80 mm min-1) and rotational speed (800, 950 and 1300 rpm). Microstructural characterization of developed copper surface composites dispersed with varying volume fraction of hybrid reinforcement proved reduction in grain size and homogenous distribution of ceramic particles. Results stated that the percentage of particles dispersed, traverse speed and rotational speed have high impact in defining the property of developed copper surface composites. A positive trend in mechanical strength was observed throughout the study. Increase in hybrid reinforcement dispersion and traverse speed increase the microhardness value of developed surface composites while increase in rotational speed leads to reduction in microhardness value.