The Effect of Friction Stir Processing by Stepped Tools on the Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Behavior of a Mg-Al-Zn Alloy

Friction stir processing (FSP) which imposes severe plastic strains has been used as a solid-state process to refine the grain structure of a Mg-Al-Zn alloy and therefore to enhance the strength and wear resistance without significant reduction of ductility. The introduced stepped tools result in more uniform microstructure, and therefore higher mechanical properties, as well as enhanced wear resistance. More passes of FSP could lead to more uniform microstructure and finer grains. The grain size was reduced from above 40 µm to below 4 µm. The pin root hole defect is also reduced during FSP by the stepped tools especially by cylindrical one. Microhardness was increased more than two times compared with the as-received sample. The tensile strength and elongation are almost doubled after different conditions of FSP. Coefficient of friction is reduced to 1/13.3, and weight loss has been reduced to about 50% of initial values after friction stir processing. The obtained results also demonstrated the successful dynamic recrystallization during FSP.