A review of friction stir joining of SiCp/Al composites

SiCp/Al composites have excellent comprehensive properties and have been widely used in aerospace, automotive industry and other fields. Due to the huge difference in performance between SiC particles and matrix alloys, traditional fusion welding methods are difficult to meet the join requirements of SiCp/Al composites. Friction stir joining (friction stir welding), as a solid phase joining process, has been proved to be a new technology with fine prospect in joining SiCp/Al composites compared with fusion welding process. Although some progress has been made in recent years, there are still full of challenges. In this paper, the research status of friction stir joining of SiCp/Al composites in recent years is expatiated, including the weldability of SiCp/Al composites, the macrostructure and the microstructure of joints, mechanical properties of joints, and tool wear and monitoring. Furthermore, the existing challenges of friction stir joining of SiCp/Al composites are summarized and the future development directions are prospected.