Joint properties of friction welded 6061 aluminum alloy/YSZ–alumina composite at low rotational speed: Fid-Bau Portal

Joint properties of friction welded 6061 aluminum alloy/YSZ–alumina composite at low rotational speed

Uday, M.B. / Ahmad-Fauzi, M.N.

Highlights • Joint properties of FW for 6061 Al alloy/alumina–YSZ composite were clarified. • Different technique analyses with varying speeds were used in the experiment. • The microstructure, microhardness and bending strength of the joint were evaluated. • The results showed that joint was able to be friction welded in the low speed. • The low speed gave maximum bending strength and lower microhardness values.

Abstract In this study, a ceramic composite of alumina–yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was friction welded to 6061 aluminum alloy. Alumina rods containing 25wt.% YSZ were formed using slip casting and subsequently sintered at 1600°C to form a solid body. The 6061 aluminum alloy sample was cut and polished, and then subjected to friction welding experiments. Both rods were 16mm in diameter. The results of this study showed that the alumina–25wt.% YSZ composite was able to be friction welded to 6061 aluminum alloy at a lower rotational speed of 630rpm compared with high rotational speeds. The friction force was maintained at 5KN for a frictional time of 30s. Optical Microscopy (OM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) were used to analyze the microstructure of the products, particularly at the interface of the joints. The joints were also examined with EDX line and area (energy dispersive X-ray) in order to determine the phases formed during the low speed welding. The mechanical properties including bending strength and Vickers microhardness were measured. The experimental results indicated that the mechanical strength of friction welded alumina–25wt.% YSZ composite/6061 aluminum alloy components were obviously affected by joining in the low rotational speed (630rpm), having higher strength as compared to higher rotational speed.