| In this present investigation, AA6082-T6 thin aluminium alloy plates of 2 mm
thickness were friction stir welded using fine ceramic Al2O3 nanoparticles as the
reinforcing materials between the adjoining plates. The joining was done by
hexagonal pin profile tool of tungsten carbide material with tool rotational speeds
710 rpm and 900 rpm. The number of passes of the welds was 2 and 3 with constant
tool traverse speed of 40 mm/min. Microstructural study was done by employing
an optical microscope and electron microscopy. The microstructural results show
that the weld produced with tool rotational speed of 710 rpm, tool traverse speed
of 40 mm/min and the number of passes 3 has the good distribution of the alumina
nanoparticles in the stir zone leading to grain refinement. The reinforced sample
welded with 3 passes achieved the highest average grain size number of 16.02
and highest ultimate tensile strength of 227.61 MPa, yield strength of 154.9 MPa
and elongation percentage of 10.5%. The reinforcement-included welded sample
exhibited highest hardness value of 74 Hv in the weld nugget zone.
[Keywords: Friction stir welding, Metallurgical properties, Mechanical properties,
Fine ceramic composite, Al2O3-nanoparticles] |
