Characterization and Evaluation of Joint Properties of FSWed AA6061/SiC/FA Hybrid AMCs Using Different Tool Pin Profiles

Abstract

This work reports the characterization of AA6061/SiC/FA hybrid composites joined using friction stir welding (FSW). FSW was conducted by employing various tool pin profiles such as straight cylindrical (SC), tapered conical, straight square (SS) and cylindrical threaded. Microstructure and mechanical characteristics of joints were investigated using these tool pin profiles. Microstructure study of the weld joints was carried out through scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The results show equiaxed distribution of grains in the nugget zone. EBSD analysis indicates that the average grain size reduces to 3 µm after FSW with the presence of high-angle grain boundaries. Higher joint efficiency (85%) is obtained for joints obtained using SS tool pin compared to their counterparts, and SC tool yields minimum joint efficiency (77%). Overall 8% enhancement of the joint efficiency is achieved using SS tool pin profile. © 2020, The Indian Institute of Metals - IIM.