An investigation on AA2024-15 wt%Cu composite cladded on AA1050 with superb mechanical and tribological properties

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of pre-coating heat treatment and traverse speed of mechtrods on the microstructure, mechanical, and tribological properties of an AA2024-15 wt% Cu composite coating friction-surfaced on the substrate of an AA1050 aluminum. The findings indicated that increasing traverse speed during friction surfacing and using solid solutionized mechtrods lead to a greater agglomeration of copper particles. Using copper reinforcement improved the effectiveness of mechanisms such as particle stimulated nucleation that can help the grain size of the coating to be decreased. The distribution of copper particles was more non-uniform in the central regions compared to in the advancing and retreating sides. The precipitates and intermetallic compounds reduced the texture intensity in the coated samples. The AA2024-15 wt% Cu composite coating fabricated by AA2024-T3 rods showed average hardness and shear strength which increase up to 293% and 185%, respectively, compared to the substrate of an AA1050 aluminum. The wear rate of the AA2024-15 wt%Cu composite coating fabricated at a traverse speed of 100 mm/min decreased up to 27% and 23% compared to solid solutionized AA2024 and AA2024-T3 rods, respectively.