Study of Aluminum Based Composite Fabricated by Friction Stir Processing

Friction stir processing (FSP) is a solid-state procedure that enhances microstructures and mechanical characteristics over traditional manufacturing techniques. By passing a rotating pin through the workpiece, the machined area experiences localised frictional heating, softening the material and refining various material properties, typically resulting from the grain refinement of the softened metal. FSP Friction stir process was advanced from friction stir welding (FSW) technology, and both FSW process and FSP process use the same process principle of operation. In this research work, the impact of process parameters such as speed, feed, angle of inclination, and number of passes is analysed over mechanical and microstructural attributes of Al2014 plate reinforced with TiB2 nanoparticles (60-90 nanometres). Vickers hardness measurements, and Optical, scan electron microscopy, together with grain analysis, are executed on multiple regions of the machined cross-sections to demonstrate the condition of the machined material properties.