Evaluation of microstructure and mechanical properties in friction stir processed SKD61 tool steel

A SKD61 tool steel was friction stir processed using a polycrystalline cubic boron nitride tool. Microstructure, tensile properties and wear characteristic were evaluated. Fine grains with a martensite structure were produced in the friction stir processed zone, which led to the increase of the microindentation hardness. The grains became finer when the heat input was lowered. The transverse tensile strength of the friction stir processed zone was equal to that of base metal and all the tensile specimens fractured at base metal zone. The wear width and depth of the friction stir processed zone at the load of 1.96 N were 339 μm and 6 μm, as compared to 888 μm and 42 μm of the base metal, decreased by 62% and 86%. Findings of the present study suggest that low heat input is an effective method to produce a friction stir processed zone composed of relatively fine grain martensitic structure with good tensile properties and wear characteristic.