Study on effect of welding speed on friction stir welded aluminium metal matrix hybrid composite

Abstract

The development of aluminum series matrix hybrid composites with ceramic reinforcements has recently caught the interestof new researchers. The addition of more than one or two reinforcements in aluminium alloy leads to the fabrication of theAluminium Metal Matrix Hybrid Composite (AMMHC). The present investigation is aimed at the development of newlydeveloped AMMHC followed by friction stir welding for obtaining the improved mechanical properties. The stir castedAA6063 with reinforcement of 5%, 10% and 15% wt. Silicon Carbide (SiC) and 10% wt. Boron Carbide (B4C) werefabricated by stir casting technique and the AMMHC with 10% each of SiC and B4C showed higher mechanical properties. Further the AMMHC are joined by friction stir welding (FSW) route. A prime experimental work has been tried out in theFSW process by varying welding speed (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mm/min). The effect of welding speed on AMMHCs were studiedon macro and microstructural observations followed by micro hardness and ultimate tensile. Strength, in which 40 mm/minof welding speed gives better properties than other processing condition. The weldment reveals the better joint strength withthe presence of fine particle dispersion in the microstructure.