Advancing Corrosion Resistance and Micro-hardness in 6061 Aluminium Alloy through Friction Stir Surface Processing

Friction stir surface processing (FSSP) is a promising technique for enhancing the properties of aluminium alloys. This abstract presents the findings of a study focused on the FSSP of 6061 aluminium alloy to improve its corrosion resistance and micro-hardness. The FSSP method involves the stirring of a rotating tool across the alloy's surface, inducing plastic deformation and refinement of the microstructure. The study investigates the impact of FSSP parameters such as rotational speed, traverse speed, and tool geometry on the corrosion resistance and micro-hardness of the alloy. Results show that FSSP significantly improves the corrosion resistance of the 6061 aluminium alloy, attributed to refined grain structure and reduced grain boundary corrosion susceptibility. Additionally, micro-hardness is enhanced due to the refined microstructure and dispersion strengthening effects. The findings demonstrate the potential of FSSP as a viable surface treatment technique for aluminium alloys, offering improved corrosion resistance and mechanical properties for various engineering applications.