Microstructure and hardness of friction stir welded aluminium-copper matrix-based composite reinforced with 10 wt-% SiCp

In the present work, an attempt has been made to join aluminium-copper matrix-based composite reinforced with 10 wt-% SiCp, by the friction stir welding technique, at different combinations of tool rotational speed (710, 1000 and 1400 rev mm1) and welding speed (50, 63 and 80 mm min1) using square profiled friction stir welding tool. Welding parameters play a predominant role in improving the mechanical strength by minimising the defects. A good number of defect free joints were obtained at various combinations of rotational speed and welding speed. It has been observed that, rotational speed and welding speed have strong influence on microstructure, Vickers hardness and quality of welds.