Friction welding of particle reinforced aluminium based composites

The widespread use of metal matrix composites (MMC) is often limited due to the difficulties related to their joining by means of traditional fusion welding processes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect on microstructure and mechanical properties (hardness and tensile strength) of two different friction welding techniques used for joining two Al-based metal matrix composites. In particular, Friction Stir Welding was applied to a 6061 (Al-Mg-Si) alloy matrix, reinforced with 20vol.% of Al2O3 particles (W6A20A), while Linear Friction Welding was applied to a 2124 (Al-Cu-Mg) alloy matrix reinforced with 25vol.% of SiC particles (AMC225xe). Both the welding processes permitted to obtain substantially defect-free joints, whose microstructures was found to be dependent on both the initial microstructure of the composites and the welding processes. Hardness decrease was in the order of 40% for the FSW joint and of 10% for the LFW joint, mainly due to overaging of the matrix induced by the frictional heating, while the joint efficiency in respect to the ultimate tensile strength was 72% and 82%, respectively. Elongation to failure increased in the FSW joint due to coarsening of precipitates, whereas it decreased in the LFW joints due to the fibrosity in the thermomechanically altered zone. Fracture surface analysis showed good matrix/reinforcement interface for both composites.