Water Cooling Effects on the Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Friction-Stir-Processed Al-6061 Alloy

Water cooling was applied during friction stir processing (FSP) of an Al-6061 alloy, and it was found that the strengthening efficiency induced by water cooling was varied, which was dependent on the initial base metal temper. As to the natural-aged Al-6061 alloy (6061-NA), the stir zone (SZ) was strengthened significantly by water cooling. Compared with the air-cooled FSP sample, the relatively high strength of the water-cooled FSP sample mainly arose from grain refinement, increased density of dislocations and large amounts of fine re-precipitated Guinier–Preston zones in the SZ. On the contrary, as to the annealed Al-6061 alloy (6061-O), the difference in the microstructural evolution between the FSP samples with and without water cooling was nonsignificant, where only finer grain morphology was observed in the water-cooled SZ, and thus the strengthening effects caused by water cooling became less.     

A New Strategy for Preparation of NiAl Bronze/Zn Composite by Friction Stir Processing

In this work, we successfully prepared a NAB/Zn composite using Zn wires by friction stir processing (FSP). During FSP, Zn-containing α matrix and (Fe, Ni)Al phases and nano α and CuZn grains with the size of less than 10 nm are formed on the top surface. The average microhardness of the composite is increased by 15 pct compared with the alloy without Zn, which originates from fine grains, CuZn particles strengthening, and more β′ phase.

     

Enhancement of wear and corrosion resistance of cast A356 aluminium alloy using friction stir processing

The present work pertains to investigation carried out on the feasibility of locally modifying the surface properties of cast aluminium alloy A356 using friction stir processing (FSP). The friction stir processed zone was characterized by metallography, electron micro probe analysis, hardness, dry sliding wear and potentio dynamic polarization testing. Hardness mapping showed that stir zones experienced increase of 40% compared to the as-cast metal. Further uniform micro-hardness was observed in the friction stir processed zone, which was not the case with as-cast A356 aluminum alloy. The FSP of cast A356 alloy exhibited excellent wear resistance, which is attributed to break-up of the coarse silicon rich eutectic particles, dendrite structure and homogenous distribution of fine Si particulates throughout the α-Al matrix due to intense plastic deformation and mixing during friction stir processing. The friction stir processed zone was also found to have adequate corrosion resistance. This work demonstrates that friction stir processing is an effective strategy for enhancement of wear and pitting corrosion resistance of as cast aluminum alloys     

Friction Stir Processing for Enhancement of Wear Resistance of ZM21 Magnesium Alloy

Present work pertains to surface modification of the magnesium alloy using friction stir processing (FSP). Silicon carbide and boron carbide powders are used in the friction stir processing of the ZM21 Magnesium alloy. Coating was formed by FSP of the alloy by placing the carbide powders into the holes made on the surface. Surface coating was characterized by metallography, hardness and pin-on-disc testing. Friction stir processed coating exhibited excellent wear resistance and is attributed to grain boundary pinning and dispersion hardening caused by carbide particles. Surface composite coating with boron carbide was found to possess better wear resistance than coating made with silicon carbide. This may be attributed to formation of very hard layer coating of boron carbide reinforced composite on the surface of magnesium alloy. In the present work an attempt has also been made to compare the wear behaviour of surface composite layer on ZM21 Mg alloy with that of conventionally used engineering materials such as mild steel and austenitic stainless steel. Wear data clearly shows that wear resistance of friction stir processed composite layer is better than that of mild steel and stainless steel. This work demonstrates that friction stir processing is an effective strategy for enhancement of wear resistance of magnesium alloys.     

Modelling Corrosion Behavior of Friction Stir Processed Aluminium Alloy 5083 Using Polynomial: Radial Basis Function

Aluminium alloy 5083, widely used in marine applications, undergoes accelerated corrosion in sea water due to the aggressive reaction of chloride ions with the secondary phase particles and other intermetallics present in the alloy matrix. The corrosion rate of the alloy is also influenced by the temperature difference between the alloy and its environment. Friction stir processing (FSP) is a recent solid state processing technique for improving the surface properties of metals and alloys. In this study, an attempt has been made to explore the possibility of improving the corrosion resistance of AA5083 by FSP. FSP trials were performed by varying the tool rotation speed, tool traverse speed and shoulder diameter of the tool, as per face centered central composite design. The corrosion potential and the corrosion rate of friction stir processed AA5083 was studied using potentiodynamic polarization studies, at three different temperatures. Mathematical models based on polynomial—radial basis function were developed and used to study the effect of process parameters on the corrosion potential and the corrosion rate of friction stir processed AA5083. FSP resulted in refinement of the grain structure, dispersion and partial dissolution of secondary phase particles in the matrix, which increased the corrosion resistance of the alloy.     

Multipass Friction-Stir Processing and its Effect on Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Alloy 5086

Twelve-pass friction stir processing (FSP), with 50?pct overlap was carried out on aluminum alloy 5086-O rolled plates to obtain total area of 40?×?150?mm². Two methods of friction-stir processing, intermittent multipass friction stir processing (IMP), and continuous multipass stir processing (CMP) were carried out, and their effect on the mechanical properties of the processed material was studied. The results revealed that material subjected to IMP showed better mechanical properties compared with the material subjected to CMP. Also, a variation in mechanical properties was observed with an increase in the tool traverse speed for single-pass, CMP, and IMP types of processing.     

Influence of Texture on Mechanical Behavior of Friction-Stir-Processed Magnesium Alloy

Friction stir processing (FSP) improves the mechanical properties of metallic materials. In this study, a magnesium alloy AZ31B was friction stir processed by using single and multiple pass. The friction-stir-processed magnesium alloy exhibits higher tensile strength and ductility in the transverse direction (TD) compared to the longitudinal direction (LD). Both single pass and multiple (two) pass friction-stir-processed material show similar anisotropy in tensile properties, but the multiple pass friction-stir-processed material shows fine-grained microstructure with higher tensile strength and ductility. The tensile anisotropy in the friction-stir-processed AZ31B originated from the textured microstructure that evolved during FSP.     

Optimizing Powder Distribution in Production of Surface Nano-Composite via Friction Stir Processing

Notwithstanding the extensive interest in using friction stir processing (FSP) for producing metal matrix composite (MMC), more uniform powder distribution along the composite zone is still needed. In most studies, one groove is machined out of the specimen, filled with powder, and then processed by identical passes. In this investigation, an innovative technique was used that involved machining out of three gradient grooves with increasing depth from the advancing side to the retreating side instead of using a conventional sample with just a groove. Macro, optical, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and microhardness test were used to evaluate the powder distribution. The images indicated that the most uniform distribution of SiC particles in the whole composite zone was related to a three-gradient grooves sample. Microohardness measurement of a three-gradient grooves sample, carried out along the cross section and perpendicular to the traverse direction of FSP, experiences less fluctuation in hardness compared with other techniques.     

Grain Growth Behavior and Hall–Petch Strengthening in Friction Stir Processed Al 5059

Friction stir processing (FSP) of Al 5059 is studied in which subsequent heat treatment is conducted to investigate its effects on grain size and hardness. It was found that mainly elongated and rhomboidal morphologies of Al₆(Mn,Fe) particles are present in the alloy both before and after FSP, where the rhomboidal particles are more effective in pinning grain boundaries during heat treatment. The stir zone reached a temperature of 705 K (432 °C), and ThermoCalc modeling confirmed that the Al₆(Mn,Fe) particles will remain stable at this temperature. Negligible grain growth was observed during FSP of the Al 5059 due to low grain boundary mobility resulting from slow diffusion associated with a high Mg content in the alloy. During heat treatment at 448 K (175 °C) grain growth could be correlated with time using a particle-controlled grain growth model. Microhardness values indicate that Hall–Petch behavior occurs in the processed alloy, while dislocation density and particle dispersion play a minor role in strengthening.     

Some Investigations on Friction Stir Processed Zone of AZ91 Alloy

In this study, AZ91 based hybrid nanocomposite was fabricated using mixture of TiC and alumina by friction stir processing (FSP). FSP of AZ91 was conducted with as well as without particle addition and under different cooling conditions. Distribution of nano TiC and Al₂O₃ particles in the Mg matrix was studied using SEM. Grain size analysis of the as-cast and FSP AZ91/(TiC?+?Al₂O₃) composite was done using optical microscopy. The performance of the fabricated nanocomposite was investigated using microhardness, bulk hardness and scratch tests. Microhardness testing was done at 50?gf load and bulk hardness at 5?Kgf load. Scratch test was performed at 2 and 5?N normal load values on a universal tribometer using Rockwell indentor. AZ91/(TiC?+?Al₂O₃) composite exhibited improved mechanical properties.     

Effects of Friction Stir Processing Parameters and In Situ Passes on Microstructure and Tensile Properties of Al-Si-Mg Casting

Friction stir processing (FSP) was applied to modify the microstructure of an as-cast A356 alloy. The effects of rotation rate, travel speed, in situ FSP pass, FSP direction, and artificial aging on microstructures and tensile properties were investigated. FSP broke up the coarse eutectic Si phase into 2.5 to 3.5 μm particles and distributed them homogeneously, and resulted in the dissolution of the coarse Mg₂Si particles and the elimination of porosity, thereby improving both the strength and the ductility of the casting. Increasing the rotation rate was beneficial to breaking up and dissolving the particles, but it contributed little to eliminating the porosity. The travel speed did not affect the size of the particles apparently, but lower speed was beneficial to eliminating the porosity. 2-pass FSP showed an obvious advantage in the microstructure modification and tensile properties compared with the single-pass. However, a further increase of FSP passes only resulted in slight improvement. The FSP direction of the following pass did not show distinct effect on the microstructure and tensile properties. After post-FSP artificial aging, the strengthening phase (β″-Mg₂Si) precipitated, which increased the strength and decreased the ductility of the FSP samples.     

Microstructure and Texture Evolution during Single- and Multiple-Pass Friction Stir Processing of Heat-Treatable Aluminum Alloy 2024

Microstructure and crystallographic texture evolution during single- and multiple-pass friction stir processing (FSP) of an age-hardenable aluminum alloy 2024 (Al-Cu-Mg) was investigated. Multiple-pass experiments were carried out using two different processing strategies, multi-pass FSP, and multi-track FSP. Effect of a post-FSP heat treatment above and below the solutionizing temperature of the alloy was also studied. FSP experiments were carried out using an optimal set of parameters. Characterization tools used in the study include scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), electron probe micro-analyser (EPMA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Microstructural features indicate the occurrence of particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) assisted dynamic recrystallization (DRX) as the dominant microstructural evolution mechanism in the nugget zone. Geometrical coalescence occurred, leading to the formation of some larger grains in the nugget zone. Heterogenous micro-texture distribution was observed in the nugget zone with the bulk textures consisting of FCC shear texture components dominated by A ₁*/A ₂* and C. Microstructure and texture in the nugget zone remained stable after both routes of multiple-pass processing, demonstrating the possibility of FSP to produce bulk volume of fine-grained materials. Post-FSP heat treatment indicated the stability of microstructure and texture up to 723 K (450 °C) owing to relatively lower strain energies retained after FSP.

     

Achieving High Strength and High Ductility in Friction Stir-Processed Cast Magnesium Alloy

Friction stir processing (FSP) is emerging as an effective tool for microstructural modification and property enhancement. As-cast AZ91 magnesium alloy was friction stir processed with one-pass and two-pass to examine the influence of processing conditions on microstructural evolution and corresponding mechanical properties. Grain refinement accompanied with development of strong basal texture was observed for both processing conditions. Ultrafine-grained (UFG) AZ91 was achieved under two-pass FSP with fine precipitates distributed on the grain boundary. The processed UFG AZ91 exhibited a high tensile strength of ~435 MPa (117 pct improvement) and tensile fracture elongation of ~23 pct. The promising combination of strength and ductility is attributed to the elimination of casting porosity, and high density of fine precipitates in an UFG structure with quite low dislocation density. The effects of grain size, precipitate, and texture on deformation behavior have been discussed.     

The Effect of Concurrent Straining on Phase Transformations in NiAl Bronze During the Friction Stir Processing Thermomechanical Cycle

Equivalent strains up to a value of ≈2.7 were determined by evaluation of the shape changes of the phases in a duplex α(fcc)/β(bcc) microstructure formed ahead of the pin tool extraction site during the friction stir processing (FSP) thermomechanical cycle in a cast NiAl bronze alloy. Correlation of the local strains with volume fractions of the various microstructure constituents in this alloy shows that the concurrent straining of FSP results in acceleration of the α + β → β reaction in the thermomechanically affected zone (TMAZ) ahead of the pin extraction site. The resulting volume fraction of β (as determined by the volume fraction of its transformation products formed during post-FSP cooling) corresponds closely to the volume fraction expected for the peak stir zone temperature measured separately by means of thermocouples embedded within the tool pin profile along the tool path. The stir zone (SZ) in this material exhibits near-equilibrium microstructures despite brief dwells near the peak temperature (T _peak ≈ 0.95T _melt), reflecting large local strains and strain rates associated with this process.     

2A97铝锂合金搅拌摩擦焊焊缝的微观组织特征

对厚度为25 mm的T851态2A97铝锂合金进行搅拌摩擦焊焊接,利用显微硬度、金相显微镜(OM)和透射电镜(TEM)等对焊缝的显微硬度和微观组织进行研究.结果表明:接头基材硬度最高,热影响区和热机影响区硬度降低,焊缝中心硬度又升高,硬度最低位置在热影响区.焊核区发生动态再结晶,形成细小等轴的晶粒;焊核区S′相全部溶解,T1相儿乎全部溶解,在随后的冷却和时效过程中,焊核区析出GP区和细小弥散的δ′相;热影响区的T1相部分溶解,S′相全部溶解,析出θ"相、δ′相和δ′/β′的复合相.     

Effect of Multi-pass Friction Stir Processing on the Electrochemical and Corrosion Behavior of Pure Titanium in Strongly Acidic Solutions

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - The corrosion behavior of multi-pass friction stir processed (FSP) pure titanium was studied in 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions. Microstructures of treated and...     

Effect of Multiple-Pass Friction Stir Processing Overlapping on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast NiAl Bronze

As-cast Cu-9Al-4.5Ni-4Fe NiAl bronze alloy (NAB) was subjected to multiple-pass friction stir processing (FSP) with a 50 pct overlap. After FSP, the coarse microstructure of the base metal (BM) was transformed to defect-free material with fine microstructure. While the torchlike patterns in the stir zone (SZ) and the uplifted grains in the transitional zones (TZs) between two passes were observed in the multiple-pass FSP region, no grain coarsening was found in the remnant zone of the previous SZ after subsequent FSP pass. The hardness value of the FSP materials was higher than that of the BM and was homogeneously distributed throughout the entire multiple-pass FSP region. The FSP materials showed greatly improved tensile properties compared to the BM, and the TZs showed similar tensile strength and ductility to the single-pass FSP materials. The BM broke in a mixture mode of brittle cleavage and microvoid coalescence fracture, whereas the FSP and TZ samples failed in the latter fracture mode. The results showed that the multiple-pass overlapping (MPO) FSP was feasible to modify the microstructure of large-sized plate of the NAB.