Production of Al-Cu multi-material billet from machining chips using friction stir consolidation (FSC)

This research investigates the production of Al-Cu multi-material billets through a recycling and welding approach. The method employed is the so-called friction stir consolidation (FSE), which involves the consolidation of machining chips by using a tool rotating at specific speed and feed rate. The microstructure and chemical composition of the resulting components are examined using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The findings indicate that this technique allows producing multi-material billets directly from machining chips with a solid structure and absence of voids.