Consequence of reinforced SiC particles and post process artificial ageing on microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir processed AA7075

Friction stir processing and post process artificial ageing was successfully carried out on AA7075 with and without reinforcement of SiC particles producing defect free processed zone with uniform distribution of filler material. Effect of SiC particle reinforcement and artificial ageing times on the microstructural modifications was characterized using optical and electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction and X-Ray diffraction. Hardness, impact and wear tests were carried out to investigate mechanical behaviour before and after processing. Reinforcement of SiC particles during FSP and subsequent age hardening treatment brought about nearly twofold increase in hardness and impact toughness values by the combined effect of grain refinement, Zener pinning, dispersion strengthening and precipitation hardening. Significant improvement in wear resistance in terms of wear loss was also observed after processing compared to the reference material AA7075-T6. Fractured surface of post FSP age hardened AA7075 alloy exhibited features of ductile fracture during Charpy impact test.