Friction Stir Processing and Mechanical Testing of SiC-Al2O3 and B4C-Al2O3 Particulates Reinforced Aluminium Alloy Composites

This paper details the friction stir processing (FSP) and mechanical behaviour of hybrid composite materials. Boron carbide (B₄C), silicon carbide (SiC), aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) particulates are reinforced with aluminium alloy (LM25) to fabricate hybrid composite specimens via FSP. The effect of FSP parameters such as tool rotational speed, traversing speed, groove width and micro hardness was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy analysis has shown that B₄C, SiC and Al₂O₃ particulates are dispersed well into the Aluminium alloy matrix. Mechanical test results have shown that the tensile strength and Vickers hardness of FSP aluminium alloy with B₄C and Al₂O₃ particulates are better than FSP aluminium alloy with SiC and Al₂O₃ particulates.