Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Friction Stir Welded SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C Reinforced Aluminium Alloy AA6061 Metal Matrix Composites
This study focuses on the properties and process parameters dictating behavioural aspects of friction stir welded Aluminium Alloy AA6061 metal matrix composites reinforced with varying percentages of SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C. The joint properties in terms of mechanical strength, microstruc...
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doaj-b99cd2d87f4d41f182ced2d1bbb8947c2021-06-30T23:25:13ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442021-06-01143110311010.3390/ma14113110Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Friction Stir Welded SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C Reinforced Aluminium Alloy AA6061 Metal Matrix CompositesKaveripakkam Suban Ashraff Ali0Vinayagam Mohanavel1Subbiah Arungalai Vendan2Manickam Ravichandran3Anshul Yadav4Marek Gucwa5Jerzy Winczek6Department of Mechanical Engineering, C. Abdul Hakeem College of Engineering & Technology, Vellore 632509, IndiaCentre for Materials Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600073, IndiaDepartment of Electronics & Communication, Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore 506114, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, K. Ramakrishnan College of Engineering, Trichy 621112, IndiaMembrane Science and Separation Technology Division, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar 364002, IndiaDepartment of Technology and Automation, Częstochowa University of Technology, 42-201 Częstochowa, PolandDepartment of Technology and Automation, Częstochowa University of Technology, 42-201 Częstochowa, PolandThis study focuses on the properties and process parameters dictating behavioural aspects of friction stir welded Aluminium Alloy AA6061 metal matrix composites reinforced with varying percentages of SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C. The joint properties in terms of mechanical strength, microstructural integrity and quality were examined. The weld reveals grain refinement and uniform distribution of reinforced particles in the joint region leading to improved strength compared to other joints of varying base material compositions. The tensile properties of the friction stir welded Al-MMCs improved after reinforcement with SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C. The maximum ultimate tensile stress was around 172.8 ± 1.9 MPa for composite with 10% SiC and 3% B<sub>4</sub>C reinforcement. The percentage elongation decreased as the percentage of SiC decreases and B<sub>4</sub>C increases. The hardness of the Al-MMCs improved considerably by adding reinforcement and subsequent thermal action during the FSW process, indicating an optimal increase as it eliminates brittleness. It was seen that higher SiC content contributes to higher strength, improved wear properties and hardness. The wear rate was as high as 12 ± 0.9 g/s for 10% SiC reinforcement and 30 N load. The wear rate reduced for lower values of load and increased with B<sub>4</sub>C reinforcement. The microstructural examination at the joints reveals the flow of plasticized metal from advancing to the retreating side. The formation of onion rings in the weld zone was due to the cylindrical FSW rotating tool material impression during the stirring action. Alterations in chemical properties are negligible, thereby retaining the original characteristics of the materials post welding. No major cracks or pores were observed during the non-destructive testing process that established good quality of the weld. The results are indicated improvement in mechanical and microstructural properties of the weld.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/11/3110stir castingboron carbidesilicon carbideAA6061 aluminium alloytensile strengthfriction stir welding |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Kaveripakkam Suban Ashraff Ali Vinayagam Mohanavel Subbiah Arungalai Vendan Manickam Ravichandran Anshul Yadav Marek Gucwa Jerzy Winczek |
spellingShingle |
Kaveripakkam Suban Ashraff Ali Vinayagam Mohanavel Subbiah Arungalai Vendan Manickam Ravichandran Anshul Yadav Marek Gucwa Jerzy Winczek Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Friction Stir Welded SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C Reinforced Aluminium Alloy AA6061 Metal Matrix Composites Materials stir casting boron carbide silicon carbide AA6061 aluminium alloy tensile strength friction stir welding |
author_facet |
Kaveripakkam Suban Ashraff Ali Vinayagam Mohanavel Subbiah Arungalai Vendan Manickam Ravichandran Anshul Yadav Marek Gucwa Jerzy Winczek |
author_sort |
Kaveripakkam Suban Ashraff Ali |
title |
Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Friction Stir Welded SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C Reinforced Aluminium Alloy AA6061 Metal Matrix Composites |
title_short |
Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Friction Stir Welded SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C Reinforced Aluminium Alloy AA6061 Metal Matrix Composites |
title_full |
Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Friction Stir Welded SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C Reinforced Aluminium Alloy AA6061 Metal Matrix Composites |
title_fullStr |
Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Friction Stir Welded SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C Reinforced Aluminium Alloy AA6061 Metal Matrix Composites |
title_full_unstemmed |
Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Friction Stir Welded SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C Reinforced Aluminium Alloy AA6061 Metal Matrix Composites |
title_sort |
mechanical and microstructural characterization of friction stir welded sic and b<sub>4</sub>c reinforced aluminium alloy aa6061 metal matrix composites |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Materials |
issn |
1996-1944 |
publishDate |
2021-06-01 |
description |
This study focuses on the properties and process parameters dictating behavioural aspects of friction stir welded Aluminium Alloy AA6061 metal matrix composites reinforced with varying percentages of SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C. The joint properties in terms of mechanical strength, microstructural integrity and quality were examined. The weld reveals grain refinement and uniform distribution of reinforced particles in the joint region leading to improved strength compared to other joints of varying base material compositions. The tensile properties of the friction stir welded Al-MMCs improved after reinforcement with SiC and B<sub>4</sub>C. The maximum ultimate tensile stress was around 172.8 ± 1.9 MPa for composite with 10% SiC and 3% B<sub>4</sub>C reinforcement. The percentage elongation decreased as the percentage of SiC decreases and B<sub>4</sub>C increases. The hardness of the Al-MMCs improved considerably by adding reinforcement and subsequent thermal action during the FSW process, indicating an optimal increase as it eliminates brittleness. It was seen that higher SiC content contributes to higher strength, improved wear properties and hardness. The wear rate was as high as 12 ± 0.9 g/s for 10% SiC reinforcement and 30 N load. The wear rate reduced for lower values of load and increased with B<sub>4</sub>C reinforcement. The microstructural examination at the joints reveals the flow of plasticized metal from advancing to the retreating side. The formation of onion rings in the weld zone was due to the cylindrical FSW rotating tool material impression during the stirring action. Alterations in chemical properties are negligible, thereby retaining the original characteristics of the materials post welding. No major cracks or pores were observed during the non-destructive testing process that established good quality of the weld. The results are indicated improvement in mechanical and microstructural properties of the weld. |
topic |
stir casting boron carbide silicon carbide AA6061 aluminium alloy tensile strength friction stir welding |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/11/3110 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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