Fabrication of Aluminum 5083/SiC Surface Composite on Tungsten Inert Gas Weld Joint by Novel Direct Friction Stir Processing Technique

For the creation of surface reinforcement particles in the metal matrix, friction stir processing is frequently utilized. Formation of aluminum/SiC surface composite on Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) butt weld of Al5083 by a novel technique of direct friction stir processing (DFSP) using a hollow tool is successfully demonstrated in this present work. Deposition of SiC in the stir zone of DFSP was confirmed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) method. Micro analysis of weld joint was achieved using metallographic microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Microstructure of stir zone of DFSP shows finely distributed SiC reinforcement particles in aluminum matrix. Absence of detrimental intermetallics was confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Tensile strength of DFSPed specimen was found to be 227.3 MPa which is 19.5% lower than UTS of autogenous TIG weld specimen. Microhardness of SZ of DFSP was found to be increased from TIG weld microhardness of 86 Hv to 107 Hv due to presence of SiC particles.