The Effect of Friction Stir Processing (FSP) on the Spatial Heterogeneity of Discontinuously-Reinforced Aluminum (DRA) Microstructures

Abstract

In order to introduce different levels of microstructural heterogeneity into an experimental DRA material, three 6061/SiC/25p DRA extrusions were produced, using established P/M techniques. Each contained F-600 grade SiC particles (median diameter, d50 = 13.4 μm) however, the median matrix particle size was varied in a controlled manner, by careful screening of the 6061-Al powder stock. the range of matrix particle sizes that were chosen (26.4 μm, 42.0 μm and 108.6 μm) introduced increasing levels of spatial heterogeneity into the DRA microstructures, as quantified using the Multi-Scalar Analysis of Area Fractions (MSAAF) technique. the DRA materials were further processed, using FSP, in order to ascertain the effect of FSP on the homogeneity of the as-extruded microstructures. It was found that FSP introduces a significant amount of solid-state mixing which reduces the amount of microstructural spatial heterogeneity, even in the worst DRA specimens. in addition, minitensile tests were carried out on the as-extruded and as-processed DRA materials, and these results are presented in the context of the effects of microstructural heterogeneity on tensile mechanical properties.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 Curran Assocaites Inc., All rights reserved.

Publication Date

21 Jul 2003

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