Microstructure and wear behaviour of aluminium surface composites fabricated using friction stir processing

Abstract

In this study, wear behavior of AA6082 matrix composite reinforced with titanium carbide particles (TiC) produced by friction stir processing was investigated. The main objective of this study is to compare the microstructure and wear behavior of Aluminium alloy 6082 with AA6082-TiC surface composites. FSP was carried out using a threaded pin tool with 1200 rpm tool rotational speed, whose processing speed of 60 mm/min and an axial load of 10 kN. The microstructure analysis exhibited that the fine grains and uniform distribution of TiC particles in friction stir processed AA6082 matrix with and without TiC particles, respectively. A pin on disc equipment was used to study the wear properties. It was observed that the wear resistance of the FSPed aluminium composites samples improved significantly as compared to that of the AA6082 matrix alloy. With this the effect of TiC particles on worn surface and wear debris is also reported in this study.