Manufacturing of Surface Composite Al6351/SIC Using Friction Stir Processing

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a relatively new solid-state joining process. This joining technique is energy efficient, environment friendly, and versatile. In particular, it can be used to join high-strength aerospace aluminum alloys and other metallic alloys that are hard to weld by conventional fusion welding. FSW is considered to be the most significant development in metal joining in a decade. Recently, friction stir processing (FSP) was developed for microstructural modification of metallic materials. In this study, SiC particles and Methanol paste were incorporated by using Friction Stir Processing (FSP) into the 6351 aluminum alloy to form particulate composite materials. Samples were subjected to traverse speeds of the FSP tool with and without Paste (SiC+ Methanol). Microstructural observations were carried out by employing optical microscopy of the modified surfaces. For the 100% overlapping, No. of passes caused grain modification in the processed zone.