Analysis of first mode metal transfer in A413 cast aluminum alloy during friction stir processing

Friction stir processing (FSP) is a recent processing technique where a non consumable rotating cylindrical tool is used to generate frictional heat and local plastic deformation at selected processing locations. In cast alloys, FSP eliminates casting defects and refines micro structures, and leads to improvement in their mechanical properties. The metal flow phenomenon in friction stir processing (FSP) comprises two modes of metal transfer. The first mode of metal transfer takes place layer by layer and is caused by the shearing action of the tool shoulder, while the second mode is caused by the extrusion of the plasticized metal around the pin. The aim of the present study is to quantitatively determine the amount of metal transferred by the first mode during friction stir processing of cast aluminum A413 alloys and its influence on the tensile properties. The experimental results show that the mechanical properties can be enhanced through FSP and the enhanced properties have good correlation with the first mode of metal transfer.