Microstructrual evolution and mechanical properties of the stir zone during friction stir processing a lean duplex stainless steel

A lean duplex stainless steel was friction stir processed at 300 rpm-100 mm/min using a W-Re stirring tool. The microstructural evolution on the advancing side, the center, and the retreating side of the stir zone were studied by a combination of electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction. The study indicated that the direction of fiber structure on the advancing side, center, retreating side were 0°, 90°, 45° relative to the processing direction because of the stirring effect of the tool. Given that the strain rate and temperature were different on the advancing side, center and retreating side, the phase fraction, misorientation, texture components varied in different parts of the stir zone. The deformation mostly occurred in the center and retreating side and the material on the advancing side almost did not deform during tensile test. As a result, strain induced martensitic transformation occurred in the center and retreating side. The voids initiated at the interface of ferrite and transformed martensite on the retreating side, and cracks also propagated along this interface during tensile test. Furthermore, because of the 45° direction of the fiber structure on the retreating side, the tensile strength of the FSP sample was slightly less than the base metal.