The effects of friction stir processing and friction stir vibration processing on mechanical, wear and corrosion characteristics of Al6061/SiO2 surface composite

Abstract

FSP (Friction stir processing) is introduced as a method to refine the microstructure of metal surfaces. It also brings the possibility for surface composite formation by addition of strengthening particles. Different methods have been applied to modify FSP and enhance the characteristics of the processed specimen. The effect of workpiece vibration during FSP was investigated in the current research. The method was entitled FSVP. FSP and FSVP methods were applied on Al6061 alloy surface to form surface composites using SiO2 nanoparticles as second phase particles. Mechanical, wear and corrosion properties of the processed specimens were studied. The results showed that strength, ductility and wear resistance of FSV (friction stir vibration) processed specimens were higher than FS (friction stir) processed specimens. This was related to development of smaller grains and more homogenous distribution of the strengthening particles as vibration was applied. A decrease of about 78% in the corrosion rate, compared to the base specimen, was also observed as FSVP was applied. The results suggested that FSP can be replaced by FSVP to enhance the characteristics of processed specimens.