Joining of aluminium matrix composites using friction stir welding: A review

Abstract

Aluminium matrix composites are one of the most important classes of materials and have become a major focus of attention in aerospace, aeronautical, defense, and automotive industries. Aluminium matrix composites when compared to conventional alloys offer various promising properties like excellent strength-to-weight ratio, higher stiffness, lower coefficient of thermal expansion, better dimensional stability, and tribological behavior. The properties of aluminium matrix composites are highly influenced by the appropriate selection of metal matrix, processing routes, and reinforcement. Various ceramic particles (oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, etc.) are used as reinforcements for aluminium matrix composites. Significantly different properties may be obtained using various reinforced particles and matrix material, which makes it difficult for the traditional fusion welding techniques to meet the joining requirements of these composites and is restricted to certain grades of materials. Solid-state welding process offers greater advantages over the conventional fusion welding. As a solid-state joining process, friction stir welding has proven to be a better and promising technique for joining aluminium matrix composites. However, it is still subjected to various challenges to join aluminium matrix composites even with considerable progress has been made in recent years. The current review provides an overview of state-of-the-art of friction stir welding of aluminium matrix composite materials. Specific attention and critical assessment have been given to weldability, the macrostructure and microstructure of aluminium matrix composite joints, mechanical properties of joints, fractography, and the wear of friction stir welding tool during welding of aluminium matrix composite. Furthermore, the various existing challenges of friction stir welding of aluminium matrix composites are summarized and the recommendations for future research are proposed.

A comprehensive investigation on various welding facets for FSW of advanced structural AMC

“…Nevertheless, swift heat dissipation from the weld zone is crucial to prevent grain growth facilitated by increased nucleation times at lower cooling rates. Furthermore, this trend might also be in uenced by dynamic recrystallization and pinning effects, essential microstructural ndings reported in the literature for FSW of AMCs [42,44,45].…”

The effect of Argon Shield Gas and Cold Air for Friction Stir Welding of Ceramic-reinforced Aluminium Matrix Composite and Aluminium Alloy

“…• angle of inclination from the welding direction (°) Second, it is necessary to know the properties of the tool, which would have a fundamental effect on the quality of the joint, so it is advisable to design a tool tailored to the specific task in each situation. Essential parameters of the tool [11] [13] [14]:…”

“…In general, speed and feed have the greatest effect on the quality of the joint. After all, a significant part of the other factors was constant in most cases, such as the wall thickness of the material, or can be changed in a very small range, such as the angle of the tool [11] [13] [15].…”

Multi-criteria optimization on friction stir welding of aluminum composite (AA5052-H32/B4C) using titanium nitride coated tool

“…However, the selection of welding parameters is essential in minimizing defects and tool wear. Tool wear rate had been minimized by providing a metal coating on the tool surfaces [13].…”