Fatigue crack growth behavior of friction stir processed aluminum alloy

The effect of friction stir processing (FSP) on fatigue crack growth (FCG) behavior of a cast aluminum alloy was examined. FSP leads to changes in silicon particle morphology and distribution. The fatigue properties of this alloy are influenced by silicon particle size and dendrite arm spacing. FCG experiments were performed in the Paris region to study crack growth rates during casting and FSP. Crack path and interaction of the crack-tip with the microstructure was characterized.