Abstract
Friction stir processing (FSP) is a novel solid state technique to synthesize metal matrix composites. In the present work, an attempt has been made to synthesize AZ31/TiC magnesium matrix composites using FSP and to analyze the microstructure using scanning electron microscopy. A groove was prepared on 6 mm thick AZ31 magnesium alloy plates and compacted with TiC particles. The width of the groove was varied to result in four different volume fraction of TiC particles (0, 6, 12 and 18 vol.%). A single pass FSP was carried out using a tool rotational speed of 1200 rpm, traverse speed of 40 mm/min and an axial force of 10 kN. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to study the microstructure of the synthesized composites. The results indicated that TiC particles were distributed uniformly in the magnesium matrix without the formation of clusters. There was no interfacial reaction between the magnesium matrix and the TiC particle. TiC particles were properly bonded to the magnesium matrix.