Microstructural and mechanical properties of Al7050- rGO- SiC hybrid metal matrix surface composite produced by friction stir processing

Surface-composites (SCs) are produced using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) particles via the friction stir processing (FSP) technique to improve the mechanical and microstructural characteristics for aerospace and automotive components. The purpose of this research was to examine the manufacturing of hybrid metal-matrix-surface composites (HMMSCs) by means of the friction stir process (FSP) technique for high-performance aerospace and automotive parts. In this particular investigation, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was utilized as a continually reinforced nanoparticles in order to enhance the mechanical behavior of AA7050 aluminum alloy. Simultaneously, silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles were employed as secondary reinforced particles, showing enhanced grain growth control, increased chemical stability, and resistance to deformation at high temperatures. Hybridization was conducted by combining equal proportions of SiC with rGO nanoparticles prior being applied on the surface of AA7050 aluminum alloy. Reinforcing particles were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing strong adhesion between the reinforcing components and the AA7050 aluminum alloy. The microstructural investigation revealed that the hard SiC with rGO nanoparticles makes even distribution of reinforcement particles in the aluminum matrix. This can lower the chances of particles sticking together and clustering. The hybrid AA7050rGO-SiC composite matrix achieved a higher degree of grain refinement compared to the base alloy and mono composite. The mechanical characteristics such as tensile strength and microhardness of the ideal HMMSCs of AA7050rGO-SiC exhibited enhancements relative to the base alloy.