Microstructural analysis of friction stir welded ferritic stainless steel

▶ The fraction of LAB in the SZ was significantly increased. ▶ The texture in the SZ was very close to a shear texture in bcc materials. ▶ The increase in plunging depth increased the fraction of LAB in the SZ. ▶ The increase in plunging depth decreased the grain size in the SZ. ▶ The increase in plunging depth increased the hardness in the SZ.