Combined Impact of SiC/TiB₂ Nanoparticles in Friction Stir Welding of Different Aluminium Alloys

^1,2,3,4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indra Ganesan College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu.
⁵ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bonam Venkata Chalamayya Engineering College (Autonomous), Odalarevu, Andhra Pradesh 533210, India.
⁶ Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, Uttaranchal Institute of Technology, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun - 248007, Uttarakhand, India.
⁷ University School of Mechanical Engineering, Research & Incubation Centre, Rayat Bahra University, Chandigarh-Ropar NH 205, Greater Mohali, Punjab, 140103, India

^* Corresponding author: vijaysundarbe@gmail.com

Abstract

In this work, Friction Stir Welding process was done on the dissimilar alloys AA8014 and AA2024, with focus on analysing mechanical properties such as tensile strength (UTS), hardness (BHN), and wear rate (WRT). The influence of SiC/TiB2 nanoparticles, with Wt% ranging from 2 to 8 wt%, was examined on the mechanical properties. The rotational speed (RS) was changed from 1200 rpm to 1400 rpm, while the welding speed was kept at a constant 150 mm/min throughout the process. The results specified that an increase in RS to 1400 rpm, combined with 8 wt% , improved the ultimate UTS to 239.4 MPa. SEM examination of the fractured surface revealed that micro dimples were produced at this higher rotational speed. This phenomenon is attributed to the more intense stirring action at 1400 rpm, which leads to turbulent material flow in the stir zone. The resulting turbulence could cause uneven particle distribution and entrap air or other voids, contributing to the formation of micro dimples in the weld nugget.