Abstract
This study investigates the temperature distribution behavior during friction stir Processing (FSP) of AA6061-T6 plates with varying SiC particle volume fractions (Vf). FSP have been conducted under consistent parameters: a tool rotational speed of 1100 rpm, tool traverse speed of 1.5 mm/s, and tool tilt angle of 2°. Temperature was monitored using K-type thermocouples inserted into the plates, providing a temperature distribution profile for variation in SiCp. Scanning electron microscopy and optical imaging was employed for surface morphology analysis. Mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, yield stress, % elongation, microhardness, and fractography were examined. The findings revealed a continuous increase in temperature with Vf, peaking at 0.25% Vf (353.45 °C) and then decreasing at 0.3% Vf (295.66 °C). Microstructure analysis showed uniform SiCp distribution at 0.25% Vf. Similar trends were observed for ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and microhardness, with maximum values of 341 MPa, 233 MPa, and 127 HV0.1, respectively, at 0.25% Vf. % elongation decreased with increasing Vf. These results contribute to the understanding of how SiCp reinforcement affects the FSW process and the resultant material properties.
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Acknowledgements
The first author wishes to thank the Ministry of Human Resource Development of India for giving funding in the form of a fellowship. The authors would like to thank the MSE department, ACMS at IIT Kanpur (specifically Mrs. Samata Samal, Anoop Kumar Raut for microscopic imaging analysis and tensile testing) for their cooperation and smooth testing. Author also grateful to Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre (SIC) at IIT Indore for FE-SEM.
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Setu Suman: Conceptualization, Writing—original draft, Investigation, Visualization Durjyodhan Sethi: Formal analysis, Methodology, resources, Uttam Acharya: review & editing Barnik Saha Roy: review & editing.
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Suman, S., Sethi, D., Acharya, U. et al. Exploring the Influence of SiC Particles on Temperature Variations, Microstructural Evolution, and Mechanical Characteristics in the Friction Stir Processing of AA6061-T6 Plates. Silicon 16, 2219–2231 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-023-02827-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-023-02827-3