Friction-stir processing of a composite aluminium alloy (AA 1050) reinforced with titanium carbide powder

In this study the friction-stir processing (FSP) technique was applied for the development of surface composites of aluminium alloy (AA 1050) reinforced with titanium carbide (TiC) powder of particle size range below 60 m compressed into the groove. Rotational speeds of 1200 min -1 and 1600 min -1 and the travel rates of (100, 200 and 300) mm/min were used for the process. This study investigates the effect of processing parameters on the wear-resistance behavior of friction-stir processed Al-TiC composites. This was achieved through microstructural characterization using optical and scanning electron (SEM) microscopes equipped with Oxford energy-dispersion spectrometry (EDS) (Tescan), microhardness profiling and wear resistance tests. From the results, it was found that the processing parameters influenced the distribution of the TiC particles. The microhardness profiling of the processed samples revealed an increase in the hardness value compared to the parent material. The wear-resistance test results confirmed the FSP technique enhanced properties in surface engineering.