Publication

Abstract : The need to develop new materials and processing techniques to update the performance with maximum efficiency drives the material science field. In this study, SS410 steel was reinforced with the ball-milled AlSiBeTiV HEA through Friction Stir Processing. The microstructural characterization of the ball milled powder revealed the densely packed irregular fragments with an average particle size of 15 µm and the phase evolved was FCC. The microstructural characterization of the processed surface showed greater grain refinement with uniform distribution of the reinforced HEA particles. The refined grains were 0.65 µm average in size which evinced the subsequent properties enhancement. The following mechanical testing revealed 47% and 49.8% improvement in microhardness and tensile strength. The ultrarefined grains alongside the strengthening mechanisms and the influence of HEA elevated the mechanical properties of the HEA-processed sample against the processed base plate. The pin-on-disc test for varying test parameters showed improved wear resistance for the processed samples with HEA where the inclusion of HEA and the attained grain refinement is credited for the betterment in wear resistance. The worn surface was characterized to analyze the wear mechanisms involved.