Enhancement of the Mechanical and Corrosion Behaviour of FSW Joints Using a Novel Particle Reinforcement Approach

Abstract

Reinforcement of external particles during friction-stir welding (FSW) is significantly used to improve the weld joint’s performance. The present study involves reinforcement of the external particles in the weld joint without the aid of grooving or drilling. The FSW joint of AA2014 aluminium alloy has been reinforced with boron carbide (B4C) powder particles. The performance of the joint was investigated in terms of mechanical behaviour using tensile and microhardness tests as well as corrosion (electrochemical) behaviour using immersion, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests. The presence of boron carbide particles in the joint improves the tensile strength, microhardness, and corrosion resistance. In light of the microstructure, the impact of the reinforcement of these particles on the weld joint performance has been thoroughly discussed.