Surface Modification through Friction Stir Processing (FSP)

Friction stir processing has paved the way for the fabrication of surface composite in solid-state processing routes wherein desired properties are tailored up to a specified thickness. In the present investigation, surface composite is fabricated on AA5083 alloy using hybrid reinforcements (SiC-Fe-Mn-Sn) and the characteristics of the produced surface composites were explored using thermal analysis and mechanical tests such as micro-hardness and tensile analysis. To observe the distribution of reinforcement across the processed zone, a detailed microstructural examination was carried out. All these characteristics were assessed across all 18 samples but in the present investigation, one of the best results is discussed. Optical micrographs elegantly portray an array of meticulously processed zones, encompassing stir zone, the thermomechanically affected zone, heat-affected zone, and base material. Within these intricate zones, the grain size gracefully transitions from one distinct zone to another. Microhardness and tensile strength experienced a notable augmentation attributable to the refinement of grains and the fortifying influence of the Orowan mechanism while thermal behavior explained the temperature evolution during the process. Friction stir processing has paved the way for the fabrication of surface composite in solid-state processing routes wherein desired properties are tailored up to a specified thickness. In the present investigation, surface composite is fabricated on AA5083 alloy using hybrid reinforcements (SiC-Fe-Mn-Sn) and the characteristics of the produced surface composites were explored using thermal analysis and mechanical tests such as micro-hardness and tensile analysis. To observe the distribution of reinforcement across the processed zone, a detailed microstructural examination was carried out. All these characteristics were assessed across all 18 samples but in the present investigation, one of the best results is discussed. Optical micrographs elegantly portray an array of meticulously processed zones, encompassing stir zone, the thermomechanically affected zone, heat-affected zone, and base material. Within these intricate zones, the grain size gracefully transitions from one distinct zone to another. Microhardness and tensile strength experienced a notable augmentation attributable to the refinement of grains and the fortifying influence of the Orowan mechanism while thermal behavior explained the temperature evolution during the process.