Microstructural Changes and Mechanical Properties Upgrading Over Friction Stir Processing Strategies on A356 Alloy with Tungsten Nano Particle Surface Layer Composites

Friction stir processing (FSP) is a typical process for refinement changes of microstructure, enhance material's mechanical properties, and fabricating surface layer composites. The cast A356 surface composites were fabricated via Friction Stir Processing (FSP) and the enhancement of it’s metallurgical and mechanical properties are studied and conveyed in this research study. The three combinations of test samples of FSP'ed cast A356 alloy, FSP'ed cast A356 FSP with tungsten nanoparticle addition (5 and 10 vol%) were considered to fabrication under fixed parametric conditions like tool rotational speed of 1000 rpm, a load acting 9 kN,./ tool travel speed of 20 mm min−1 through four number of tool travel passes respectively. Obtained FSP'ed samples were exposed to microstructural, tensile strength tests and fracture surface morphology analysis were carried out to record the responses. It was observed in stir zone microstructure that the FSP parameters have affected the overall dispersion rate of the tungsten particles in the surface composite layer to a greater extent, leading to better particle distribution. As a result of the mechanical test, it is seen that FSP'ed cast A356 with 10vol% of tungsten nanoparticles exhibits higher hardness and tensile value compared to other combinations. This is due to better bonding between the matrix and higher vol % of nanoparticles. Moreover, it was finally concluded that the properties of the cast A356 alloy FSP'ed with 10vol% of tungsten nanoparticles responses have significantly increased and found to be good corroboration in the automotive components.