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Role of friction stir processing parameters on microstructure and microhardness of boron carbide particulate reinforced copper surface composites

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Abstract

Friction stir processing (FSP) was applied to fabricate boron carbide (B4C) particulate reinforced copper surface composites. The effect of FSP parameters such as tool rotational speed, processing speed and groove width on microstructure and microhardness was investigated. A groove was contrived on the 6 mm thick copper plates and packed with B4C particles. FSP was carried out using five various tool rotational speeds, processing speeds and groove widths. Optical and scanning electron microscopies were employed to study the microstructure of the fabricated surface composites. The results indicated that the selected FSP parameters significantly influenced the area of surface composite, distribution of B4C particles and microhardness of the surface composites. Higher tool rotational speed and lower processing speed produced an excellent distribution of B4C particles and higher area of surface composite due to higher frictional heat, increased stirring and material tranportation. The B4C particles were bonded well to the copper matrix and refined the grains of copper due to the pinning effect of B4C particles. B4C particles retained the original size and morphology because of its small size and minimum sharp corners in the morphology.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Management and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, India for extending the facilities to carry out this investigation. The authors also acknowledge the financial support rendered by the Naval Research Board, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Government of India. One of the authors, Dr. I. Dinaharan thanks the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India for providing INSPIRE fellowship. The authors are also thankful to Mr. K Kalaiselvan, Mr. C Maxwell Rejil, Mr. G Ashok Kumar for their assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, 641 014, India

    R SATHISKUMAR & N MURUGAN

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, 627 657, India

    I DINAHARAN

  3. School of Mechanical Sciences, Karunya University, Coimbatore, 641 114, India

    S J VIJAY

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  1. R SATHISKUMAR
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  2. N MURUGAN
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Correspondence to R SATHISKUMAR.

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SATHISKUMAR, R., MURUGAN, N., DINAHARAN, I. et al. Role of friction stir processing parameters on microstructure and microhardness of boron carbide particulate reinforced copper surface composites. Sadhana 38, 1433–1450 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-013-0184-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-013-0184-7

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