MICROSTRUCTtJRE CHARACTERIZATION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES CO-RELATION OF FRICTION STIR PROCESSED ALUMINUM 6086 ALLOY

Abstract

Friction stir processing (FSP) developed in line which the earlier principles of friction stir welding (FSW). FSP is a new metal processing method for grain refinement. In this case, a rotating tool is inserted in a monolithic work piece for localized micro structural modification for specific property enhancement. In this thesis particular emphasis has been given to optimize the process parameter of FSP for commercially pure Al alloy and .AA5086-0 using a cylindrical pin tool and taper pin tool respectively. The process has been carried out in normal FSP and FSP with water cooling condition. The micro structural analysis using Electron Back Scattered Diffraction (EBSD) has been done to confirm grain refinement in both the Al alloys used. The tensile properties are evaluated in three direction 0°, 45°and 900 with orientation relative to the rolling direction and anisotropy of sheet has been estimated. Microstructural correlation of friction stir processed Al 5086 alloy has been done with respect to mechanical properties obtained. It is found that mechanical properties have improved significantly in comparison to base metal.