Development of Al1070-Quasicrystal (Al65Cu23Fe12) composites using friction stir processing and its mechanical characterization

Abstract

Abstract This study aims at analysing the microstructure and mechanical behaviour of quasicrystalline (Al65Cu23Fe12) strengthened Al1070 composites by Friction Stir Processing (FSP). The composites with various volume fractions of quasicrystal are fabricated by a multipass (3 passes) Friction Stir Processing with 1200 rpm speed, 30 mm min−1 feed rate and tilt angle of 2.5°. The hardness measurement and tensile test performed in the fabricated composites divulged an increasing trend in the hardness values and Ultimate tensile strength up to a volume fraction of 8% of quasicrystals. The microstructural studies disclosed the increase in the hardness values are ascribed to the reduction in grain size due to the dynamic recrystallization and the strengthening of Al matrix by quasicrystals. Though the composites with higher volume fraction exhibited improved Ultimate tensile strength, the fractographic studies depicted there is transformation from ductile to brittle failure in those composites.