Effect of process parameters on AZ91/SiC surface composites for lightweight E-vehicles
Roshan Vijay Marode , Dr. Srinivasa Rao Pedapati, Dr. Tamiru Alemu Lemma

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Bandar Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

Magnesium and its alloys are excellent choices for use in the automotive and transportation sectors, specifically for electric vehicles, due to their high specific strength, good damping capacity, and specific stiffness. The AZ91 is a desirable option among magnesium alloys for different applications due to its superior casting qualities.- however, the low surface properties and corrosion resistance are the critical bottlenecks for their wide applications. Therefore, the primary aim is to enhance the surface strength by fabricating AZ91/SiC Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs). Friction stir processing (FSP) is utilized to refine the microstructures and fabricate the surface composites without introducing any intrinsic flaws. Tool Rotational Speed (TRS), Tool Traverse Speed (TTS), Tool Pin length (PL), and Plunge Depth (PD) were chosen as parameters to investigate their effect on defects formation in base material with microstructural changes. The optimum process parameters reveal the improvement in the microhardness and refinement of the microstructure

Keywords: Friction Stir Processing, Electric vehicles, Magnesium alloys, Surface Properties, Microstructure, Metal Matrix Composites.

Topic: Lightweight Structure