Comparative analysis of flipped and overlapped microwave sintered plus friction stir processed in-situ Al-Cu composites

Abstract

The in-situ Al-Cu composites were fabricated with Cu content more than the solubility limit (5.65%) and the critical composition of an Al-Cu alloy (4.6%). A powder metallurgy route with state-of-the-art microwave sintering and friction stir process with overlapped and flipped conditions was attempted. The overlapped friction stir resulted in a minimum area of nugget region, unidirectional material mixing, high heat input in successive passes, and brittleness in the material. This accounted for the material to exhibit high strength with low ductility. Whereas flipped friction stir leads to a maximum area of stir zone, bidirectional material mixing, and similar thermal cycles in individual passes and avoids excessive heating. This facilitated the material to possess maximum strength by retaining ductility. The newly developed in-situ Al-Cu composite material (with Cu wt% in ranges of 8–12) possesses equivalent strength, ductility, electrical conductivity, and rate of corrosion compared to copper. Notably, these attributes, combined with its cost-effectiveness, position this material as a promising alternative to copper conductors in electrical applications. From the present investigation, it is strongly recommended to choose a flipped friction stir for better properties. © Qatar University and Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.