Effect of tool design on the microstructure and microhardness of friction stir processed 5005-H34 aluminium alloy

The effect of tool design on microstructure and properties of friction stir processed study aluminium alloy AA 5005-H34 (Al-Mg) was investigated using three different FSP tools with different pin designs. The application of FSP resulted in fine, fully recrystallised microstructures and the processed zone was defect-free for some of the pin designs. Significant grain refinement from an initial pancake-like microstructure with a grain size of about 192 μm in the base material to 10- 20 μm in the processed regions was achieved.