Effect of Processing Parameters on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of an Al-Al11Ce3-Al2O3 In-Situ Composite Produced by Friction Stir Processing

Abstract

Friction stir processing (FSP) was applied to produce aluminum-based in-situ composites from powder mixtures of Al-5 mol pct CeO 2 . A billet of powder mixtures was prepared using the conventional pressing and sintering route. The sintered billet was then subjected to multiple passages of FSP. This technique has combined the hot-working nature of FSP and the exothermic reaction between Al and CeO 2 . The reinforcing phases were identified as Al 11 Ce 3 and d * -Al 2 O 3 . The Al 2 O 3 particles with an average size of~10 nm are uniformly distributed in the aluminum matrix, which has an average grain size of approximately 390 to 500 nm. Both the sintering temperature and the tool traversing speed used in FSP have significant influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite. The composite produced by sintering at 833 K followed by FSP with a tool traversing speed of 30 mm/min possesses an enhanced modulus (E = 109 GPa) and strength (ultimate tensile strength (UTS) = 488 MPa) as well as a tensile ductility of~3 pct.

EBSD investigation of Al/(Al13Fe4+Al2O3) nanocomposites fabricated by mechanical milling and friction stir processing

“…Formation of nanosized reaction products with coherent or semicoherent interfaces can enhance mechanical properties. Various hybrid aluminium matrix nanocomposites were fabricated by FSP using Al–CeO 2 (Chen et al ., ), Al–TiO 2 (Khodabakhshi et al ., , Zhang et al ., , Zhang et al ., ), Al–CuO (You et al ., ) and Al–Fe 2 O 3 (Azimi‐Roeen et al ., ) systems, where in situ formation of Al 2 O 3 particles occurred by reactive mechanisms. However, because FSP interaction time is limited, the reaction may not be completed.…”

The effect of process parameters on microstructural characteristics of AZ91/SiO2 composite fabricated by FSP

“…Friction stir processing, which is basically considered to be an advanced process for grain refinement technique, has become very popular in fabricating surface composites and nanocomposite layers [11][12][13]. But a completely uniform distribution cannot be achieved and it is recommended that multiple passes are needed to improve the distribution of nanoparticles in the metal matrix.…”

The microstructure and mechanical properties of an Al–CuO in-situ composite produced using friction stir processing

“…Recent researches [7,8] have shown that aluminum matrix composites reinforced by in situ formed Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles can be fabricated by FSP in Al-CeO 2 [7] and Al-TiO 2 [8] systems. These composite exhibited enhanced strength due to the fine dispersion of nanoparticles.…”