Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of friction surfaced AA2024-Ag composites
(Department of Materials Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Shariati Avenue, Babol 47148-71167, Iran)
Abstract: The effects of Ag on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity of AA2024 aluminum alloy coating were investigated. It was fabricated by friction surfacing as an additive manufacturing process. To carry out this investigation, Ag was added by 5.3, 10.6, and 16.0 wt.% to an AA2024 consumable rod by inserting holes in it. It was found that due to the strengthening by solid solution and the formation of precipitates and intermetallic containing Ag, the driving force for grain growth is reduced and consequently the grain size of the coating is decreased. After artificial aging heat treatment, the electrical conductivities of the coatings containing 0 and 16.0 wt.% Ag are increased by 4.15% (IACS) and decreased by 2.15% (IACS), respectively. While considering a linear relationship, it can be proposed that for a 1 wt.% Ag increase, the strength and hardness of the coating will be increased by 1.8% and 1.0%, respectively. It was established that the effect of Al6(Cu,Ag)Mg4 precipitate formation on strengthening is greater than that of Ag-rich intermetallic.
Key words: friction surfacing; AA2024 aluminum alloy; Ag powder; AA2024-Ag composite