Microstructural Characterization and Hardness Evaluation of Friction Stir Welded Composite AA6061-4.5Cu-5SiC (Wt.%)

A.K. Shettigar; Giridhar Salian; Mervin Herbert; Shrikantha Rao

doi:10.14429/dsj.63.4869

A.K. Shettigar National Institute of Technology, Surathkal-575 025, India
Giridhar Salian National Institute of Technology, Surathkal-575 025, India
Mervin Herbert National Institute of Technology, Surathkal-575 025, India
Shrikantha Rao National Institute of Technology, Surathkal-575 025, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.4869

Keywords: Friction stir welding process, Aluminum matrix composites, ceramic particles, hardness, microstructure

Abstract

Recent developments in advanced materials research have led to the emergence of new materials having features like low density, high strength to weight ratio, excellent mechanical properties, heat and corrosion resistance. In friction stir welding (FSW), a non-consumable rotating welding tool is used to generate the frictional heat and plastic deformation of the material in the welding zone, which is in the solid state. The advantages of FSW as compared to the fusion welding are high joint strength, less defect weld, uniform distribution of grain structure in the weld zone and low power consumption. AA6061with 4.5 % weight of copper and 5 % weight of SiC composite material has been prepared to conduct experiment and carry out characterization, evaluation of the mechanical properties. Micro-structural characterization of the weld zone is carried out by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Evaluation of hardness was also carried out across the weld zone. A successful method for FSW of AA6061-4.5(wt.%) Cu-5(wt.%) SiC has been developed.

Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(4), pp.429-434, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.4869

Author Biographies

A.K. Shettigar, National Institute of Technology, Surathkal-575 025, India

Mr Arun Kumar Shettigar is pursuing his PhD in the Friction stir welding of composite materials at NIT, Surathkal. His areas of interests include: Friction Stir Welding, CAD/CAM, artificial intelligent system and automated manufacturing systems.

Giridhar Salian, National Institute of Technology, Surathkal-575 025, India

Mr Giridhar Salian obtained his MTech in friction stir welding of composites. Presently working as an Executive Director, Karnataka Vocational Training & Skill Development Corporation. Koushalya Bhavan, Bangalore. His area sof research are: Friction stir welding and manufacturing processes.

Mervin Herbert, National Institute of Technology, Surathkal-575 025, India

Dr Mervin A Herbert obtained his PhD from IIT Kharagpur, in 2008. Presently working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NIT, Surathkal. His areas of research include: Semi-solid processing of composite materials, friction stir welding of composites, application of artificial neural network.

Shrikantha Rao, National Institute of Technology, Surathkal-575 025, India

Dr Shrikantha S. Rao obtained his PhD from NIT-Surathkal, in 2005. Presently working as Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NIT, Surathkal. His areas of research include: Computer integrated manufacturing system, application of artificial intelligent system in manufacturing system, web based manufacturing system and data base management system.