Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of AA6061-T4 Composites Containing SiC and B4C Particles Fabricated by Friction Stir Processing

AA6061-T4 composites containing SiC and B4C particles were fabricated by friction stir processing (FSP) with an SKD11 tool. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated with various test methods. With the inclusion of ceramic particles, refined grains in the stir zone (SZ) were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and tunneling electron microscope (TEM). Because the ceramic particles facilitated grain refinement in the SZ via the pinning effect, the SZ with the particles had a much smaller grain size than the SZ without the particles. Vickers hardness test, tensile test and Charpy impact test were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties. Mechanical properties of the SZ with the ceramic particles were improved relative to those of the SZ without the particles. Vickers hardness (from 50 to 90 HV), tensile strength (from 117 to 253 MPa) and Charpy impact absorbed energy (from 4.2 to 5.6 J) of the SZ increased with the addition of ceramic particles.