Fabrication of SiC/Magnesium Alloy Composite via Friction Stir Processing

Abstract

One of the most interesting improvements in the history of materials is composites manufacturing. Because of their ability to improve different mechanical properties of some metals, nanoparticles have been given much attention in the composites community. After the successful use and popularity of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) in many applications worldwide, its latest modification into Friction Stir Processing (FSP) has recently been given a considerable amount of attention. FSP can be considered today as one of the most successful alternatives for fabricating metal matrix composite. In this investigation, a Silicon Carbide (SiC)/magnesium alloy composite was fabricated using FSP. Different combinations of tool rotational and translational speeds (RS and TS) were used throughout the study. The effect of such combination on the thermal profile, micro-hardness, and microstructure was studied and compared. Furthermore, a Response-Surface Methodology was used to develop a model to predict the micro-hardness for FSPed specimens using different combinations of process parameters. FSP of Mg AZ 31B as well as Mg/SiC composite was successfully accomplished using different combinations of tool rotational and translational speeds. Micro-hardness results showed excellent agreement with both the thermal and microstructural analysis. Micro-hardness results of the Mg/SiC composite showed a significant amount of improvement. The developed micro-hardness model was very accurate in predicting the micro-hardness values.