Silicon carbide particulate reinforced dual phase brass composites with improved wear resistance prepared via friction stir processing

The purpose of this study is to develop brass based composites using friction stir processing (FSP) for improved wear resistance. SiC particles (volume percentage of 0-18) were efficiently reinforced into Cu-40Zn dual phase brass using FSP. A tool rotational speed of 1600 rpm and a traverse speed of 60 mm/min were used. The FSP process provided an excellent distribution of SiC particles without aggression and segregation. The solid state processing subdued the role of density gradient to have an adverse effect on particle distribution. EBSD maps demonstrated extreme refinement of grains because of dynamic recrystallisation. TEM micrographs hinted that the dynamic recrystallisation was interrupted i.e. discontinuous. Few dislocation fields as well as twinned grains were spotted. SiC particles were beneficial to improve the resistance to wear of the brass composite. Further, the role of SiC particles on the mode of sliding wear as well as the size of wear debris was reported.