Friction stir engineering for fabrication of ultra-refined CuNiMgZn alloys

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 291; p. 129596
• Main Authors: Khan, Touseef, Bajaj, Dhruv, Siddiquee, Arshad Noor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.05.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Alloying; Copper; Friction stir processing; Grain size; Grain structure; Heterogeneity; Intermetallic compounds; Magnesium; Materials science; Metallic composites; Metals and alloys; Metamaterials; Microhardness; Nanocrystalline materials; Shear strain; Zinc; Metals and alloys; Alloying; Friction stir processing; Copper; Nanocrystalline materials; Metallic composites
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2021.129596

•Alloying and nanoscale grains were attained simultaneously.•Gradients of composition and grain size were found.•Shear strain promoted grain bimodality and alloying extent.•29% enhancement in hardness was observed due to ultra-refinement and alloying. The extrapolation of grain size to nanoscale and simultaneous alloying of Cu with Mg, Ni and Zn was reached via friction stir engineering (FSE). Plastic shear strain during deformation-induced bimodality in the FCC structure and promoted degree of alloying. Average grain size reduced from ~76 μm to less than 2 μm, accompanying microhardness enhancement without formation of brittle intermetallics. Elemental and morphological heterogeneity was attained throughout the stirred region. Gradients of composition and grain structure in the stirred region are reported which can further the design of metamaterials.