Effect of hybrid reinforcement at stirred zone of dissimilar aluminium alloys during friction stir welding

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to modify the mechanical as well as surface properties of weld nugget by the reinforcement of hybrid ceramic particles (alumina and silicon carbide). This is accomplished by combining friction stir welding (FSW) and friction stir processing (FSP) on dissimilar AA6101-T6 and AA1350 aluminium alloys. For this purpose, various levels of mixing proportions of Al2O3 & SiC particles are used with constant groove depth and width i.e. constant groove dimension. To evaluate the quality of joints, tensile, bending, micro-hardness, wear and microstructural studies are carried out. Among these, reinforcement of 100% alumina particles exhibits better mechanical and wear properties. On the other hand, reinforcement of 100% silicon carbide particles produces poor mechanical and wear properties. And also increment in percentage of reinforcement of alumina particles improves the mechanical and wear properties of weld nugget, when compared to increment in percentage of reinforcement of silicon carbide particles.