Effect of microstructure and texture on forming limits in friction stir processed AZ31B Mg alloy

The present work describes the influence of the friction stir processing (FSP) process parameters, namely the tool rotational speed, the tool traverse speed, and the tool tilt angle on the forming-limit strains, the microstructure and the texture of friction stir processed magnesium AZ31B alloy. Limiting dome height tests were carried out at different combinations of process conditions to investigate the forming behavior of FSPed material. It has been found that few combinations of the FSP parameters have resulted in homogeneous microstructure. This has resulted in the larger fracture major strains than that of the base material. An attempt has been made to explain the forming limits of the material with the help of the change in the microstructure and the texture during FSP.