Effect of Friction stir processing parameters on microstructure and microhardness of aluminium based Metal matrix composites

The present article demonstrates the Friction Stir Processing (FSP) of the stir cast Aluminium Alloy based Metal Matrix Composites (MMC). Generally, composites manufactured using the stir casting process tends to have several casting defects along with some agglomeration of reinforcement particles. These defects in stir cast composites can be resolved by implementing FSP. MMC was manufactured using the matrix of aluminium alloy 2014, which was reinforced with different weight percent of Silicon Carbide (SiC) particles (5%, 10% and 15%). FSP was performed by considering two different combinations of rotational speed and transverse speed i.e. (i) 270 rpm and 78 mm/min (First Combination) and (ii) 190 rpm and 50 mm/min (Second Combination). The article discusses the variation in microstructure and microhardness of all the friction stir processed composites and the effects of process parameters were examined. Lastly, the conclusion of the article suggests the best combination of processes parameters for performing FSP of manufactured composites. Copyright (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the 9th International Conference on "Advancements and Futuristic Trends in Mechanical and Materials Engineering" (AFTMME 2021).