Effect of hole dimension on microstructure and properties of nano SiC reinforced Al7075 matrix using friction stir processing

This study examines the influence of hole diameter in friction stir processing (FSP) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al7075/nSiC nanocomposites. Experiments conducted with hole diameters of 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm show that a 3 mm hole diameter results in the finest grain size (24.6 mu m), highest tensile strength (290.34 MPa), and greatest microhardness (139.42HV). Microstructural characterization confirms optimal nanoparticle distribution and grain refinement at this diameter. These findings validate the hypothesis, indicating that a 3 mm hole diameter in FSP is critical for improving the mechanical performance of Al7075/nSiC composites. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing FSP parameters to develop advanced metal matrix composites.