Friction Stir Welding of SiCp/Al Composite and 2024 Al Alloy

Abstract

6 mm thick SiCp/2009Al composite and 2024Al-T351 alloy plates were successfully joined by friction stir welding (FSW) with and without the tool pin offsetting to the 2024Al side (denoted as NOS and OS samples, respectively), producing defect-free joints. The SiC particles from the composite were distributed along a ring structure in the nugget and the volume fraction of the SiC particles decreased as the tool pin offset to the 2024Al side. The Al-clad layer on the 2024Al plate was aggregated on the retreating side of the nugget after FSW. For the OS sample, the Al formed a layer along the nugget boundary. The strength of the NOS sample reached up to 85% of the 2024Al alloy with the joint failing in the heat affected zone on the 2024Al side. The strength of the OS samples was 47% of the 2024Al alloy due to the aggregated Al layer on the retreating side of the nugget which decreased the strength of the joint.