Microstructural Assessment and Wear Behavior of Al 3003/ Al3Ti In-Situ Formed Surface Composite Fabricated by Friction Stir Processing Technique

In this study, a rolled AA3003-H14 Aluminum alloy sheet and the titanium metal powder were used to fabricate a surface composite reinforced with in-situ formed Al3Ti aluminide nanoparticles using friction stir processing technique. The hardness and the wear behavior of the FSPed composite and the base metal were determined after six passes FSP. The phase analysis was done using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the microstructural examinations were performed using an optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with microprobe elemental analysis. Microstructural studies revealed that FSP has resulted in grain refinement, uniform distribution of reinforcing particles, and in-situ formation of Al3Ti aluminide nanoparticles at the interface between the Al-matrix and the Ti particles. The hardness and the wear resistance of the FSPed composite exhibited considerable improvement in comparison with the base metal. The dominant wear mechanisms identified as severe adhesive wear for the base metal, and mild adhesive and abrasive wear for the FSPed composite, respectively.