Microstructural and Wear Characterisation of Aluminium 7075-Based Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with High-Entropy Alloy Particles and Manufactured via Friction Stir Processing

Garcia-Sesma, Leire; Vivas, Javier; Quintana, Iban; Aldanondo, Egoitz

doi:10.3390/met16020132

Open AccessArticle

Microstructural and Wear Characterisation of Aluminium 7075-Based Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with High-Entropy Alloy Particles and Manufactured via Friction Stir Processing

¹

LORTEK Technological Centre, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Arranomendia kalea 4A, 20240 Ordizia, Spain

²

TEKNIKER, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), C/Iñaki Goenaga 5, 20600 Eibar, Spain

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Metals 2026, 16(2), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16020132

Submission received: 19 December 2025 / Revised: 16 January 2026 / Accepted: 19 January 2026 / Published: 23 January 2026

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatments and Coating of Metallic Materials (2nd Edition))

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Abstract

This study investigates the microstructural evolution and wear behaviour of aluminium 7075-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with high-entropy alloy (HEA) particles and fabricated via friction stir processing (FSP). A detailed characterisation of the grain refinement in the 7075 matrix was conducted, revealing significant dynamic recrystallization and grain size reduction induced by the severe plastic deformation inherent to FSP. The interaction between the matrix and HEA particles was analysed, showing strong interfacial bonding, which was further influenced by post-processing heat treatments. These microstructural modifications were correlated with the wear performance of the composites, demonstrating enhanced resistance due to the synergistic effect of precipitates and particle reinforcement. The findings highlight the potential of FSP as a viable route for tailoring surface properties in advanced MMCs for demanding tribological applications.

Keywords: friction stir processing; metal matrix composites; hight strength aluminium alloys; high entropy alloys; microstructural characterization; tribological behaviour; heat treatment

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MDPI and ACS Style

Garcia-Sesma, L.; Vivas, J.; Quintana, I.; Aldanondo, E. Microstructural and Wear Characterisation of Aluminium 7075-Based Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with High-Entropy Alloy Particles and Manufactured via Friction Stir Processing. Metals 2026, 16, 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/met16020132

AMA Style

Garcia-Sesma L, Vivas J, Quintana I, Aldanondo E. Microstructural and Wear Characterisation of Aluminium 7075-Based Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with High-Entropy Alloy Particles and Manufactured via Friction Stir Processing. Metals. 2026; 16(2):132. https://doi.org/10.3390/met16020132

Chicago/Turabian Style

Garcia-Sesma, Leire, Javier Vivas, Iban Quintana, and Egoitz Aldanondo. 2026. "Microstructural and Wear Characterisation of Aluminium 7075-Based Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with High-Entropy Alloy Particles and Manufactured via Friction Stir Processing" Metals 16, no. 2: 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/met16020132

APA Style

Garcia-Sesma, L., Vivas, J., Quintana, I., & Aldanondo, E. (2026). Microstructural and Wear Characterisation of Aluminium 7075-Based Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with High-Entropy Alloy Particles and Manufactured via Friction Stir Processing. Metals, 16(2), 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/met16020132

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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Microstructural and Wear Characterisation of Aluminium 7075-Based Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with High-Entropy Alloy Particles and Manufactured via Friction Stir Processing

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