In this study, an age-hardenable Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy was reinforced with titanium carbide particles by a novel method and a surface composite synthesised by way of recursive friction stir processing (FSP). The effects of age hardening (T6) and retrogression and reaging (RRA) treatments on microstructural evolution, and mechanical properties were investigated. Compared to the base material, significant grain refinement and improved mechanical properties were noticed in the friction stir processed Al/TiC composite due to the homogenous distribution of reinforcement. During heat treatments, the presence of reinforcement inhibited the growth of grains during dynamic recrystallisation producing a microstructure with finer grains. The heat-treated composites exhibited better mechanical properties than as-fabricated composite due to combined effect of reinforcement and the precipitated phases.
GangilNMaheshwariSSiddiqueeAN.Multipass FSP on AA6063-T6 Al: strategy to fabricate surface composites. Mater Manuf Processes. 2018; 33(7):805–811.
2.
DeoreHABhardwajARaoAGConsequence of reinforced SiC particles and post process artificial ageing on microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir processed AA7075. Def Technol. 2020; 16(5):1039–1050.
3.
WenjingYHuaDJizhongL.Parametric optimization for friction stir processing in Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy. Mater Manuf Processes. 2022; 37(1):1–10.
4.
SharmaASharmaVMMewarSFriction stir processing of Al6061-SiC-graphite hybrid surface composites. Mater Manuf Processes. 2018; 33(7):795–804.
5.
HuangGHouWShenY.Evaluation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of WC particle reinforced aluminum matrix composites fabricated by friction stir processing. Mater Charact. 2018; 138:26–37.
6.
MehtaKMBadhekaVJ.Wear behavior of boron-carbide reinforced aluminum surface composites fabricated by friction stir processing. Wear. 2019; 426–427:975–980.
7.
RanaHBadhekaV.Elucidation of the role of rotation speed and stirring direction on AA 7075-B 4 C surface composites formulated by friction stir processing. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part L: J Mater: Des Appl. 2019; 233(5):977–994.
8.
RefatMAbdelmotagalyAMMAhmedMMZThe effect of heat treatment on the properties of friction stir processed AA7075-O with and without Nano alumina additions. Frict Stir Weld Process. 2016; VIII:115–123.
9.
KumarVPReddyMGRaoSK.Microstructure and pitting corrosion of armor grade AA7075 aluminum alloy friction stir weld nugget zone – effect of post weld heat treatment and addition of boron carbide. Def Technol. 2015; 11(2):166–173.
10.
DeoreHAMishraJRaoAGEffect of filler material and post process ageing treatment on microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behaviour of friction stir processed AA 7075 surface composites. Surf Coat Technol. 2019; 374:52–64.
11.
KaftelenHÜnlüNGöllerGComparative processing-structure-property studies of Al-Cu matrix composites reinforced with TiC particulates. Compos A: Appl Sci Manuf. 2011; 42(7):812–824.
12.
BauriRYadavDSuhasG.Effect of friction stir processing (FSP) on microstructure and properties of Al-TiC in situ composite. Mater Sci Eng A. 2011; 528(13–14):4732–4739.
13.
RejilCMDinaharanIVijaySJMicrostructure and sliding wear behavior of AA6360/(TiC + B 4C) hybrid surface composite layer synthesized by friction stir processing on aluminum substrate. Mater Sci Eng A. 2012; 552:336–344.
14.
GirishGAnandakrishnanV.Investigations on microstructural and texture evolution during recursive friction stir processing of aluminium 7075 alloy. Mater Res Express. 2019; 6(12):126574.
15.
NadammalNKailasSVSuwasS.A bottom-up approach for optimization of friction stir processing parameters; a study on aluminium 2024-T3 alloy. Mater Des. 2015; 65:127–138.
16.
DixitSKashyapSKailasSVManufacturing of high strength aluminium composites reinforced with Nano Tungsten particles for electrical application and investigation on in-situ reaction during processing. J Alloys Compd. 2018; 767:1072–1082.
17.
HumphreysFJHatherlyM.Hot deformation and dynamic restoration. In recrystallization and related annealing phenomena. Second EditionElsevier; 2004, 415–450.
18.
HuangGWuJHouWProducing of Al–WC surface composite by additive friction stir processing. Mater Manuf Processes. 2019; 34(2):147–158.
19.
GuoFDuanSWuDEffect of retrogression re-aging treatment on corrosion behavior of 7055 Al-Zn-Mg alloy. Mater Res Express. 2020; 7(10):106523.
20.
HuangGShenYGuoRFabrication of Tungsten particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites using multi-pass friction stir processing: evaluation of microstructural, mechanical and electrical behavior. Mater Sci Eng A. 2016; 674:504–513.
21.
DuZTanMJGuoJFFriction stir processing of Al-CNT composites. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part L: J Mater: Des Appl. 2016; 230(3):825–833.
22.
SabbaghianMShamanianMAkramifardHREffect of friction stir processing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-TiC composite. Ceramics International. 2014; 40(8):12969–12976.
23.
PrabhuMSPerumalAEArulvelSFriction and wear measurements of friction stir processed aluminium alloy 6082/CaCO3 composite. Meas: J Int Meas Confed. 2019; 142:10–20.
24.
KumarVMadhusudhan ReddyPSrinivasa RaoGMechanical and corrosion behavior of high strength AA7075 aluminium alloy friction stir welds – effect of post weld heat treatment. Def Technol. 2015; 11(4):362–369.
25.
NajafiAMovahediMYarandiAS.Properties–microstructure relationship in Al–Fe in situ composite produced by friction stir processing. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part L: J Mater: Des Appl. 2019; 233(10):1955–1965.
