A review on friction stir processing of Al6061 surface composites

Abstract

Friction Stir Processing (FSP), a solid state materials processing technique is employed to modify the microstructure and properties of surface which is based on the principles of Friction Stir Welding (FSW). FSP is one of the most promising techniques that produces surface composites. As of now, FSP has been widely used for producing surface composites using more of aluminium, magnesium and copper alloys. FSP enhances the mechanical properties like tensile strength, hardness, ductility and fatigue and also tribological properties like wear resistance. It also eliminates the defects that are produced in the matrix alloy during casting process and reduces distortion. Most of the Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) techniques changes the bulk properties of the material but FSP does not change the bulk properties, instead, grain size refinement can be achieved due to input heat that emerges from friction. This article covers the investigations carried out on the influence of the process parameters and tool characteristics, on the mechanical and tribological properties of Al6061 based surface composites synthesized by friction stir processing.