Effect of Under Surface Cooling on Tensile Strength of Friction Stir Processed Aluminium Alloy 6082

Abstract

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a new upgraded version of friction welding. This technology is used worldwide especially in automobile and aerospace industries due to some of its advantages over conventional fusion welding techniques. Friction stir processing (FSP) has recently emerged as a new technique for microstructural surface modification of various materials or for changing the properties of metal by producing intense localized plastic deformation in the material. Friction stir processing is proved to be a viable tool for improving the mechanical properties of materials. This technique works on the principles of FSW. The plastic deformation is produced by same way as in FSW by inserting a non-consumable shouldered pin tool in the work piece and by providing lateral movement to the tool. FSP also used as a method for depositing materials like tool steels, stainless steels and hard facings materials to improve the quality of an underlying metallic base material. Simultaneous cooling of the specimen during FSP is a new approach to further improve the microstructural properties.The results of tensile testing show that the tensile strength can be improved with simultaneous under-surface cooling in FSP.