Influence of tool pin profile on the metallurgical and mechanical properties of friction stir welded Al–10 wt.% TiB2 metal matrix composite

In the present work, Al–10 wt.% TiB2 metal matrix composites (MMCs) are joined using friction stir welding (FSW) process. Different tool pin profiles are developed to weld the MMCs and the effect of tool pin profile on metallurgical and mechanical properties of the weldments are studied. The stirred zones of MMCs joined with taper pin profiles are narrower than that are joined with straight pin profiles. Weld nugget has finer grains compared to other weld zones and TiB2 particulates are homogeneously present in Al matrix both in weld and parent metal. The effect of pin profiles on mechanical properties are analyzed and it is found that joints welded with straight square pin profile have better mechanical properties compared to the other pin profiles.