The efficacy of stainless-steel micro-particles on friction stir processed aluminium-based matrix composite (ABMC) was studied using tribological, mechanical and structural analysis tools. The stainless-steel powder (17-4PH) of average size 45 – 90 µm was used as the reinforcement particle. The parametric values employed during the fabrication of ABMC- AA7075-T651/17-4PH were the rotational speed of 1500 rpm and travel speed of 20 mm/min while the plunge depth and tilt angles used were respectively 0.3 mm and 3 degrees. Tribological study was carried out under the influence of dry sliding condition with varying loads of 20 N and 50 N using tribometer while the scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to capture the wear track. Structural analysis was examined with the aid of x-ray diffraction (XRD). The tensile strengths of the fabricated ABMC were also tested and the fracture surfaces were studied using SEM analysis. The results from the study revealed that at higher loading of 50 N, the wear performance was significantly improved for the fabricated aluminium composite- AA7075-T651/17-4PH when compare with lower loading of 20 N. The tensile properties for the ABMC were also improved under the influence of the stainless steel microparticles. There was structural improvement in ABMC wherein the value for crystallite size was lowest while micro-strain, dislocation density, as well as full width at half maximum (FWHM), had the highest values over the FSPed AA7075-T651 and the parent material. The examined fractured surface of the fabricated composite was dominated with fine, network and equiaxed dimples with cup and cone attributes confirming superb interfacial bonding and that the failure mode was ductile.

In the present research work using a backward cup extrusion (BCE) die profile, different lubricating conditions on aluminum alloy AA6063 have been experimentally and numerically investigated to predict the extrusion load. It was obvious that due to an increase in applications of the extrusion process, many researchers have worked on the extrusion process using different methods to achieve their aims. This experiment was conducted with three different lubricants namely: Castor oil, Palm Oil and tropical coconut oil; as well as without lubricants. Different lubricating conditions were employed of varying strain rates ranges from 1.5×10-3s-1, 2.0×10-3s-1, 2.5×10-3s-1, and 3.0×10-3s-1; Numerical analysis and simulation for dry and lubricated conditions during extrusion load were also performed using DEFORM 3D software. The results show that prediction extrusion load increases with increasing strain rates. The maximum extrusion load was found to be higher for extrusion without lubricants. In all cases of strain rate, palm oil showed a lower extrusion load compared to the other lubricants. Castor oil indicated the highest extrusion load when the experiment is carried out using lubrication. There was a consistent agreement between the result gotten from the experiment and simulation result of the extrusion load-strike curve.