Microstructural, mechanical and wear behavior of A7075 surface composite reinforced with WC nanoparticle through friction stir processing

Abstract

The effect of FSP process parameters such as mechanical, microstructural and wear behaviour on A7075/WC surface composites was examined. In the present investigation, 15 wt% WC was used as a reinforcement for producing FSP surface composite through cylindrical tapered tungsten carbide pin tool. It was observed that WC reinforced FSPed surface matrix under traverse speed of 60 mm/min with 1200 rpm rotational speed reduced the matrix particle’s size and distributed homogeneously throughout the surface. Also, as the FSP passes increases the broadening and offsetting of the diffraction peaks of WC and A7075 was observed. At same process parameters corresponding to 6- passes, the micro hardness as well as tensile strength were increased up to 35% and 52%, respectively, compared to base material (A7075). In addition, the increase in FSP passes increases both slurry erosive wear resistance and abrasive wear resistance due to repeated self-heat treatment phenomena.