Comparison of microstructural, texture and mechanical properties of SiC and Zn particle reinforced FSW 6061-T6 aluminium alloy
Rahul Kesharwani, Kishor Kumar Jha, Murshid Imam, Chiranjit Sarkar, Imad Barsoum
Abstract
This work investigates the microstructure, mechanical characteristics, and texture evolution of friction stir welding (FSW) of AA6061-T6 metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) and zinc (Zn) particles. The SZ region of the SiC and Zn particle-reinforced aluminium matrix (Al-matrix) composites has ultra-fine grain refinements of 4.79 and 4.18 μm, respectively, compared to base metal (BM) particle sizes of 44.97 μm. Ultra-fine grain refinement in the SZ zone produces dynamic recrystallization with particulate-driven nucleation, Zenner Hollomon, and homogeneous SiC/Zn particle distribution in the Al-matrix. Recrystallization texture components P {011} <112>, cube {001} <101>, rotating cube (H) {001} <110>, and F {111} <112>, along with primary shear texture components (B/ B¯, and C), suggested DRX at the joint interface in the SiC-reinforced Al-matrix composite. However, the Zn-reinforced Al-matrix composite has a high plain strain, recrystallization, and deformation texture components of copper {112} <111>, Brass {011} <211>, cube {001} <101>, Goss {110}, and P 011 <112>, and major shear texture components (B/ B¯ and C). SiC and Zn-reinforced Al-matrix composites have 110±4 and 120±5 HV0.2 average microhardness, respectively. Also, SiC and Zn-reinforced Al-matrix composites have 224 and 236 MPa tensile strengths, respectively.