Effect on Mechanical and Structural Properties of Rolled Aluminium Alloy 6082 by Using Friction Stir Processing with Silicon Carbide as Particulate Matter

Abstract

Aluminium and its alloys being low density materials are sought in wide variety of applications related to automotive and aerospace sector. Taking a cue from their light weight and good strength properties, lot of work has been carried out in the development composite materials using organic and ceramic reinforcements like graphite, TiC, SiC, Al2O3, TiB2, B4C and carbon nanotubes. Further, the current trend is using these reinforcements. The idea behind developing aluminium metal matrix composites is to overcome the drawbacks of unreinforced aluminium alloys and conventional aluminium metal matrix composites in order to improve mechanical, corrosion and tribological properties. In addition to this just adding reinforcement to the matrix material doesn’t contribute to overall properties but understanding of processing techniques used for synthesis of composites have significant influence on these aforementioned properties. Fabrication of composites is usually done by conventional powder metallurgy or stir casting technique. So, in order to have composites with good properties a right combination of reinforcement and processing technique is very much important. In this study, Friction Stir Processing was employed to develop a composite layer on the surface of Aluminium Alloy(AA6082) using SiC particles(120 mesh). The effects of Rotational and Transverse speeds on the Surface Hardness of the Friction stir processed layer is investigated. By this method, it is possible to enhance the surface hardness of the Aluminium alloy to even 3 times of the original value.